Full-Time Researcher Akihiro Oba (Research and Development Initiatives, Unit on Adaptation to Climate Change) received the Encouragement Award in the 2014 Japanese Association for Arid Land Studies Awards.

Title: Evaluation of Pasture Land Productivity Using Landscape-Ecological Zoning in the Scale of Village

Encouragement Award: Awarded to individuals who have achieved germinating research results in regards to arid land and semi-arid land.

Oba’s paper entitled “Evaluation of Pasture Land Productivity Using Landscape-Ecological Zoning in the Scale of Village” was published in the academic journal, Journal of Arid Land Studies. Based on high-resolution satellite data, topographical/land conditions, grazing of livestock and growth factors for pastures, the paper conducts quantitative evaluation of rotational grazing results (pasture productivity) for each landscape-ecological zone and proposes an optimal land usage plan. Furthermore, the paper indicates that the overgrazing in the surveyed hamlets is a chronic condition and conducts quantitative confirmation of unsustainability. The paper also proposes reform measures for current conditions.

Moreover, the paper shows that an evaluation method based on landscape ecological methods can be broadly applied when performed in conjunction with a ground survey and high-resolution satellite data. Findings in the paper are expected to contribute to the future growth of related research. Accordingly the paper was awarded the Encouragement Award for the FY2014 Awards of The Japanese Association for Arid Land Studies.

Oba also won the 1st Motoko Katakura Prize as an extra award and received a medal.

The Encouragement Award in the 2014 Japanese Association for Arid Land Studies Awards