Wetlands, tidal flats, seaweed beds, and coral reefs are valuable not only as habitats for many species, but also as places where people interact with the sea. Unfortunately, these areas have declined in recent years, so environmental improvement projects to conserve and restore them are being carried out across the world. In this study, we propose a method for quantifying ecosystem services, that is, useful for the proper maintenance and management of artificial tidal flats, a type of environmental improvement project. With this method, a conceptual model of the relationship between each service and related environmental factors in natural and social systems was created, and the relationships between services and environmental factors were clarified. The state of the environmental factors affecting each service was quantified, and the state of those factors was reflected in the evaluation value of the service. As a result, the method can identify which environmental factors need to be improved and if the goal is to increase the value of the targeted tidal flat. The method demonstrates an effective approach in environmental conservation for the restoration and preservation of coastal areas.

No abstract

The eelgrass in Miyako Bay was greatly damaged by the tsunami. For future restoration of the eelgrass, we collected sediments from 110 stations in the bay and analyzed particle-size distribution and chemical composition in 2012 and 2013. The distribution of eelgrass was also measured at the same stations. The sediments on the south and west coast were suitable for eelgrass. On the other hand, the sediments on the east coast were coarser. The chemical composition indicated that we could not expect the supply of sand from the main river to the east coast. We estimated that the restoration of eelgrass on the east coast would be slower than on the west and south coast.

2 正会員 復建調査設計株式会社 環境部環境技術課(〒732-0052 広島市東区光町2-10-11) 3 非会員 復建調査設計株式会社 環境部環境技術課(〒732-0052 広島市東区光町2-10-11) 4 非会員 国土技術政策総合研究所沿岸海洋・防災研究部(〒239-0826 神奈川県横須賀市長瀬3-1-1) 5 非会員 港湾空港技術研究所沿岸環境研究チーム(〒239-0826 神奈川県横須賀市長瀬3-1-1) 6 正会員 港湾空港技術研究所海洋研究領域耐波研究チーム(〒239-0826 神奈川県横須賀市長瀬3-1-1) 7 非会員 関東地方整備局横浜港湾空港技術調査事務所(〒221-0053 横浜市神奈川区橋本町2-1-4) 8 非会員 千葉県水産総合研究センター東京湾漁業研究所(〒293-0042 千葉県富津市小久保3091) 9 正会員 港湾空港技術研究所沿岸環境研究チーム(〒239-0826 神奈川県横須賀市長瀬3-1-1)

No abstract