NIAES > Symposia and Workshops

Japanese Page

International Seminar on
Enhancement of Functional Biodiversity Relevant to
Sustainable Food Production in ASPAC
— In association with MARCO —
November 9-11, 2010
Tsukuba International Congress Center, Tsukuba, Japan

Rationale

Under the Convention of Biological Diversity (COB), functional biodiversity is well recognized as one of the vital resources to materialize sustainable agriculture in EU and others. The functional biodiversity possesses a variety of ecosystem services; however, its desired effect on sustainable crop production such as pest management and pollination is particularly expected. The conversion of conventional agriculture to the one which is fully exploiting the potential of functional biodiversity comes to be a matter of considerable public concern and a variety of activities have initiated to enhance the functional biodiversity. However, “Indicators” which are capable of evaluating the effect of the functional biodiversity quantitatively, have not been developed yet. Of which the would-be promising indicators are natural enemies (Parasitoids, Neutrals, Herbivores, and Predators), pollinators (bees and hoverflies), specified plant species and so forth.

Since 1980, a significant decline in pollinator diversity and density have been reported in UK and the Netherlands, and in recent years, scientists and agriculturalists around the world become considerably concerned with this phenomenon. Poll inators are known to playa crucial role in the reproduction of flowering plant species, and in particular, the species of agricultural importance such as vegetables, fruits, and ornamental flowers. The pollinator-decline is probably due to destruction of habitat and agricultural changes, however, major factors contributed to this great decline remain to be solved. Thus, the vital importance of the sustainable use such as pollinators of biological diversity for society/agriculture is evident.

In view of serious declines in the functional biodiversity represented as natural enemy and pollinator, it is primarily important for them to be preserved and further increased for the development of sustainable crop production . It is therefore a matter of urgency to identify and develop “the indicators” for evaluating the effect of cultural practices and/or agricultural technologies on the functional biodiversity, and based upon the indicators thus identified/developed, to develop a simple and practical technique for evaluation of the effectiveness of functional biodiversity in sustainable agricultural production systems.

In 2010, 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP1O) will be held in Nagoya, Japan with participation of 190 countries worldwide, and they are to verify their commitment made in 2002, “to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth”.

This international seminar aims to obtain a better understanding of the current status of the functional biodiversity, in particular, focusing on natural enemies and pollinators in the Asian and Pacific region . In case a significance decrease in the functional biodiversity can be observed in certain areas/countries, and/or the wider region, the factors responsible for the decline and its adverse effect on the short-/long- term crop production are to be discussed . Also this seminar is to aim at sharing and exchanging relevant information and promising technologies/management to enhance the functional diversity for sustainable crop production. The promising candidates of “the indicators” evaluating the effect of cultural practices/agricultural technologies on the functional biodiversity are to be first proposed for the Asia Monsoon Climate.

Organizers

Food & Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC) for the Asian and Pacific Region

National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences (NIAES), Japan

National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS), NARO, Japan

Provisional Program

Copyright (C) 2010 National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences. All Rights Reserved