Final Reports: ARCP 2006-2007 Projects
| APN 2006-01-CMY, Standardization and Systematization of Carbon-budget Observation in Asian Terrestrial Ecosystems Based on AsiaFlux Framework
;Y. Ohtani The estimation of the carbon budget in terrestrial ecosystems is one of the urgent research subjects regards climate change research and the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Recently, the micrometeorological method has been widely used for evaluation of carbon exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. However, this technique has not been standardised and diffused into developing countries yet, because it includes the variable factors in dependence upon aerial and land conditions. We propose the improvement of observations and the analysis methodology on flux measurements through a technical manual, information exchange at the workshop and the re-analysis of data. |
| APN 2006-02-CMY
, The Human Dimensions of Urban Ecosystems: Applying the Human Ecosystems Model (HEM) to Urban Environmental Management in ASEAN
; P. MARCOTULLIO Given the complexity of problems arising from climate change impacts, policy-makers require information that will allow them to weigh trade-offs among a variety of pressing issues within cities and their impacts at multiple scales. In this regard, urban researchers must contemplate new, appropriate and integrated methods that deal with present urban conditions. With the support of ASEAN partners and experts in the field, this project will use the Human Ecosystem Model to provide these types of information. The planned workshops will draw upon past and current case studies to provide practical training for city managers with guidelines for the application of the HEM policy. |
| APN 2006-03-CMY , Assessment of the Effects of High Particulate Pollutants on Pulmonary Health Status in Selected Mega-cities of South Asia , A. P. MITRA The project aims to investigate the impacts of high particulate matter on human respiratory health in selected mega-cities of South Asia where the particulate matter loading, in general, in ambient air is very high due to various anthropogenic activities. The urban air pollution impacts on human health have assumed significant importance in South Asian region; however available studies are limited. It is proposed to carry out this study using questionnaire based sample surveys. The surverys will be specially designed to analyse and segregate various confounding parameters in the target population and localities in mega-cities of South Asia ( Colombo, Delhi, Dhaka, Karachi, Kathmandu, and Kolkata). This proposal brings together the physical and medical scientists of the region to pool their expertise for the benefit of South Asia. Other Resources: |
| APN 2006-04-CMY , Agricultural Land Use Policy in East and South Asia – Rapidly Changing Landscapes and its Impacts on Regional Food Security and its Future Scenario , K. S. RAJAN The project aims to model the land use changes in the rapidly changing and developing regions of China and India and assess the food security impacts due to changing land capacities and human needs. It will also simulate the changes in population dynamics - rural-urban migration. It is proposed to link the different causes and drivers through the model and information analysis using a GIS database and clearing house. Simulations will be done for present, as well as scenarios of socio-economic conditions (SRES) in 2010, 2020 and 2025, using the AGENT-LUC model and related tools. This project shall provide opportunities to researchers and institutions to develop modelling skills, and apply land use simulation and GIS tools to assess regional impacts on food security and environment. The analysis and hands-on experience will facilitate policy development for better resource management. |
| APN 2006-05-CMY
, Asian Ozone Pollution: An Eurasian Perspective
, H. AKIMOTO This project compiles observational data of surface ozone at remote and rural sites, as well as selected urban sites data in Asia. The integrated dataset will illustrate the overview of ozone pollution in Asia, and will be used to evaluate the contribution of emissions of ozone precursors in various parts of Asia, as well as those from Europe and North America by using the "tagged" method of the global chemical-transport. International workshops are organised for the discussion of data compilation/analysis and for proposing policy strategy, "How to reduce ozone pollution in Asia?" An educational seminar will be organized by combining two of the data workshops. |
| APN 2006-06-NMY , Sediment Dynamics and Down-stream Linkages in Tropical Streams as Affected by Projected Land-cover/Land-use and Climatic Change - Thailand Phase , Alan D. Ziegler The project will increase understanding on how water in headwater streams in montane mainland Southeast Asia (MMSEA) will be affected by plausible changes in both climate and land-cover/land-use. The goals of the project are two-fold: (1) investigate the issue successfully during a field study in Thailand ; and (2) develop the capacity to conduct similar projects in three other developing countries in Asia . Using the sediment dynamics and down-stream linkage data that will be determined in the field study, the project will attempt to distinguish the degree that various types of anthropogenic change will affect erosion, sediment delivery, and water quality. The project will generate new data regarding the potential effects of climate change, which could be useful in developing sound mitigation strategies, as well as determining non-linear vulnerabilities of natural (e.g., aquatic life) and human systems (e.g., water quality decline of municipal water). The knowledge generated will be transferred to appropriate officials who make policy related to sustainability in MMSEA. |
| APN 2006-07-NMY , International Integrated Data Access and Transfer in Asia (IIDATA) Project , Toshio Koike The project will establish water data sharing and exchange policies and data management strategies in the Asian region that will enable (1) integrated data access and transfer among Asia national research groups and between these groups and international organizations such as WMO and UNESCO, and (2) effective transfer of observation information and scientific knowledge to water resources policy- and decision-making groups. These capabilities will aim toward building up national/regional capacity to conduct water cycle research in a more efficient, coordinated manner and to exploit research results for solving societal issues associated with the water cycle features in Asia . In this way the IIDATA effort will contribute to APN activities in support of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) especially within the context of GEOSS Work Packet Two Year (2006-2007) Target #042. |
| APN 2006-08-NMY, Integrating Support System for Managing Environmental Change and Human Impact on Tropical Coastal Ecosystems in East Asia and the Pacific
, Kazuo Nadaoka Through collation of historical data and additional field observations, the project will combine information from the physical (e.g., changes in coastal zone physiography, composition, dynamics), natural (changes in flora and fauna), and social (e.g., population growth and human activities) disciplines into a cohesive analytical framework (i.e., spatial analysis and numerical modeling) to establish major environmental changes, linkages, patterns and short- and long-term trends within and among the human and natural systems of tropical coastal environment in East Asia and the Pacific. Specifically, it will focus on sediment and nutrient regimes in inland and shallow marine coastal systems. The project envisions production of user-friendly tools capable of hind-casting development patterns and for building scenarios to explore various management options of the coastal zone. |
| APN 2006-09-NMY , Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Areas in the Southeast Asia and East Asian Region , Laura T. David This project addresses the knowledge gaps on how multiple biogeographical and anthropogenic processes interact to create risk in coastal areas. Its objectives are to: (1) determine the vulnerability gradients across the coastal areas of the SEA-EA region considering the coupled human and ecological systems; (2) understand the multi-scale dimensions and inputs on the adaptive capacities of human communities toward the vulnerability of coasts, of conflicts and competition over lands, sea areas, and resources in the region; and (3) determine efficient and effective strategies to link GEC research results with policy making, governance and conflict resolution. Among its expected outcomes are: biogeophysical and human-based indicators of vulnerability at different levels; protocols and guidelines for inter-comparability of indicators at different scales; protocols for data collection and synthesis for vulnerability assessment; new methodology for vulnerability assessment; updated databases on coastal systems in SEA-EA; appropriate management strategies and governance structure; and appropriate strategies to communicate risks and vulnerability of coastal areas to different stakeholders. |
| APN 2006-10-NMY, Linking Climate Change Adaptation to Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia
, Rodel D. Lasco Limited information is available on how developing countries in the region adapt to climate change. This project will seek to identify the most appropriate climate change adaptation strategies for the natural resources and agriculture sector as well as rural communities through a synthesis of climate change adaptation and related research in the SE Asian region. It will bring together the policy community and science community in the participating countries to discuss what the appropriate climate change adaptation strategies are and how they can be linked to the sustainable development agenda of the countries involved. A key output will be policy recommendations to facilitate the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation to sustainable development planning. |
| APN 2006-11-NMY , Developing an Integrated Framework for Science Policy Interactions towards Enhanced Management of Coastal Systems in South Asia , Nalin Wikranamayake Current assessments of coastal changes do not capture adequately the interaction between humans and natural systems. The goal of this project is to develop a process for science to inform policy to sustain coastal livelihoods through: (1) the development of a framework that identifies the pathways by which natural and anthropogenic forcing factors affect human well being, and (2) to use it to assess science-policy interaction in the management of coastal zone. Policy options will be developed for the study areas after assessing the relevance of existing policies. |
| APN 2006-12-NMY , Climate and Crop Disease Risk Management: An International Initiative in the Asia Pacific Region , Samsul Huda The project aims to integrate existing climate, crop, and epidemiological research in the development of a regional predictive model for proactive agricultural risk management. The model will be validated through concurrent application to index crops in selected areas giving opportunities for developing risk communication strategies through engagement with local stakeholders. Management strategies relating to pesticide usage to meet climatic circumstances will be researched in the interests of safe and strategic food production. The proposed project will target three economically important annual crops at risk from climate-sensitive diseases, namely peanut, canola and mustard. |
APN 2006-13-NMY , Investigation on the Impacts of Urban-Rural Air Pollution on Air Quality and Climate in Southeast Asia
, Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh Air pollution in the Asian developing countries is serious and associated with adverse effects on human health and economics. Atmospheric particulate matter or aerosol, for instance, has serious effects on health. Likewise these aerosols interact directly and/or indirectly with the earth radiation energy balance and can subsequently affect global climate (IPCC 2001). The project aims to characterize and evaluate the air pollution levels in Southeast Asia with focus on particles and key gaseous pollutants. The study will measure climate change-relevant properties of particles in the ambient air in the selected cities and expand it further to other developing countries in Asia . Its outcomes include database on ambient air pollution and climate forcing potential in selected areas, quantitative source contributions of urban air pollution, policy recommendation for reduction of air pollution emission and effects, and scientific papers. |
| APN 2006-14-NSY
, Workshop on "Global Water System Hotspots in the Asian Region: Mega Cities and Dams" - 2nd GWSP Asia Network Meeting
, Jianyao Chen The project will bring together scientists, policy makers and administrators in a workshop called “Global Water System Hotspots in Asia Region: Mega Cities and Dams” – 2 nd GWSP-Asia Network meeting to be held on 8-10 June 2006 in Guangzhou, China. The main goals of the workshop are to summarize existing state of knowledge on current cumulative impacts of mega cities and that of dams in Asia and to set and launch a research agenda for mega cities and dams in Asia in the context of the global water system. The project will also create databases on dams and mega cities under the umbrella of GWSP-Asia Network. |
| ARCP2006-15NMY- DeCosta, Assessment and Management of Change in Coastal Zone Caused by Salinity Intrusion
, Jianyao Chen, Dr. Gregory De Costa Unmanaged extraction of ground water coupled with global warming, sea level rise and tsunami after effects have resulted in continuous change within fresh water bodies in coastal zones. Changes in water bodies directly relate to changes in catchments characteristics, which also interact with socio-economic changes. This project investigates changes in coastal zones caused by salinity intrusion, and covers both the catchments socio-economic trends and the water bodies. It involves six APN countries and targets a model that will aid policymakers to manage the changes occurring in coastal zones by taking optimal decisions with multiple objectives. |
