Proceedings of the Workshop on Indigenous Approaches to Habitat Protection and Restoration: Experiences in Sato-umi and other Community Initiatives

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The East Asian Seas Congress 2009“Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices”

Manila, Philippines, 23-27 November 2009

Theme 3: Habitat Protection, Restoration and Management Workshop 2: Indigenous Approaches to Habitat Protection and Restoration:

Experiences in Sato-umi and other Community Initiatives

24 November 2009

Co-Convening Agencies:International EMECS Center of Japan

Chair:

Prof. Osamu Matsuda,Professor Emeritus, Hiroshima University

Co-Chairs:Prof. Tetsuo Yanagi,

Institute of Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University

Ms. Anne McDonald,Director, United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies

INTRODUCTION

The EAS Congress Workshop 3.2 entitled “Indigenous Approaches to HabitatProtection and Restoration: Experiences in Sato-umi and other Initiatives was hosted andco-convened by the International EMECS Center of Japan, with support from HiroshimaUniversity, Japan and the United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies, Japan.

The workshop was chaired by Prof. Osamu Matsuda, Professor Emeritus ofHiroshima University and co-chaired by Prof. Tetsuo Yanagi of the Institute of AppliedMechanics, Kyushu University and Ms. Anne McDonald, Director of the United NationsUniversity-Institute of Advanced Studies. The Chair and Co-Chairs were joined by Prof.Elmer Ferrer of the College of Social Work and Community Development of the University of

the Philippines to act as panelists in the panel discussion.

The workshop aimed to: (1) share information on community-based innovativeapproaches and good practices on habitat prevention, restoration and managementinitiatives applying low-cost technologies; (2) identify and distill lessons from specific casestudies; and (3) examine how such local community initiatives can be further developed,packaged and extended within and across jurisdictional boundaries. The workshop focusedon introducing case studies on indigenous knowledge and innovative low-cost technologywith respect to the protection, restoration and management of key habitats and on analyzing



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sato-umi and sato-yama as a community-driven working model for integrated managementfrom mountain to sea.

The workshop was divided into three parts. Part 1 focused on “The Sato-UmiConcept and its application in Japan: Lessons and Application.” Part 2 focused on“Indigenous Knowledge and Community-based Approaches in Protecting, Restoring andManaging Key Habitats”. Part 3 was a panel discussion on “Institutionalizing Community-based Efforts in Habitat Protection, Restoration and Management within an ICMFramework”.

PART 1: THE SATO-UMI CONCEPT AND ITS APPLICATION IN JAPAN: LESSONS AND

APPLICATION

Part 1 focused on Sato-umi as a concept, defined as “high productivity andbiodiversity of a coastal sea as a result of, and in harmony with, human activity,” andstressed the importance of incorporating science in the decisionmaking process and theneed to strengthen scientific and technological capacities within the purview of the sato-umiconcept. Part 1 also showcased applications in Japan and highlighted the sato-umi conceptas developing into an integrated coastal management (ICM) model in Japan.

Concept and Practices of Sato-umi in Japan and Lessons LearnedProf. Tetsuo Yanagi, Institute of Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University

This presentation explored whether nature indeed exists in its best state withmankind's inetraction. Sato-umi, as a new concept for coastal management is based on thesuccesses of Sato-yama, or the “forest with high productivity and biodivesrsity underinteraction with human activities.” Sato-umi, which has been defined as “a coastal sea withhigh productivity and biodiversity under human's interaction” and is based on fullunderstanding of the sea, such as its production systems, productivity and material cycling.These form the bases of permissible and prohibited human activities and how productivityand biodiversity may be enhanced. The presentation explored various examples of sato-umiapplications.

MPAChinjyu-no-umi

Marine

Culture

Sato‐umi

Buffer zone

Human activities

Preserved

zone

EU and USA Japan

Human and Nature

Separation of human and nature Co‐existence of huma n and Nature





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Case of Fushino River Estuary initiatives in JapanProf. Masao Ukita, Yamaguchi University

The decrease of fisheryproduction (e.g., short-neckedclam), the decay of seagrassfields, and the protection ofendangered species likehorseshoe crab caused bychanges in people’s lifestyle andactivities, such as forestry,fisheries, agriculture, wastedisposal and treatment,construction, land reclamation,industries, and compounded byglobal warming, have triggeredthe development of plans forintegrated management of theFushino river basin, from forest

to sea.

The presentation showcases successful restoration initiatives in Fushino River, suchas planting seagrass, surveying horseshoe crab distribution, beach cleaning, river upstreamcleaning upstream and tree planting. These are conducted through the cooperation of localpeople upstream and downstream. Local money ‘Fushino’ is provided to stimulate thoseactivities. Conduct of scientific studies and learning from satoyama and sato-umi systems,promoting environment-friendly practices in fishery, forestry and agriculture and encouragingliving a 'slow life' are part of their restoration and management activities.

The presentation stressed on local production and local consumption. As they say inFushino, ‘think of the source when you drink water’.

The Ago Bay Initiatives in JapanProf. Miyuki Maegawa and Hideto Uranaka, Mie University

The EnvironmentalRestoration Project onEnclosed Sea carried out from2002 to 2007 in Ago Bay isaimed at making a better lifethrough wise and sustainableuse of coastal environment.The project developedimportant conservationtechniques and systems for

environmental restoration, suchas construction of artificial tidalflats, recovering seagrassbeds, continuous monitoringsystem and environmentalsimulation model of the bay incollaboration with stakeholders,such as fishers and theregional public office.

Paddy fields

Ponds forPooling water

Wetlands

Paddy

fields

Networks of ecosystem in river basin (Two dimensions)

Brooksin forest

Waterways

in farmWaterways in

residential area

Tidal flat

Eelgrass field

River bank with

natural fluctuation

Relating to nutrient

flow via ecosystem( Iron etc.)

Lost of the continuityof organisms from river

basin to the estuary

Restoration Concept of Shallow Area in Ago Bay

Low Nutrient in sediment High

Mud Sediment

Sand

Reducing the nutrient

(Promoting the

water exchange)

Adding the nutrient

（Using the

dredged sediment）

High

Low

A b u n d a n

c e &

d i v e r s i t y

o f

b e n t h o s

Desirable tidal flat

ecosystem



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It also mentioned the creation of a committee composed of a local government office,fisher’s union, academe and other sectors of the community with the role of promoting therestoration of Ago Bay. The concept of sato-umi — symbiotic relationship between naturalenvironment and people — has been recognized as an alternative management option forthe bay.

Potential of Urban Wetland as a Target of Habitat Restoration and ManagementDr. Keita Furukawa, National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management

The presentation providedmeasures to restore coastalwetlands in urban areas with the useof sound ecological engineeringwhich was incorporated in therestoration and developmentactivities in Tokyo Bay. Thepresentation mentioned the top-down and bottom-up approaches inimplementation activities in restoring

urban wetlands:

The top-down approach,which stems from a medium-termaction plan, includes the restorationof urban wetlands as a priorityaction. The top-down approachrequires adaptive managementwhere a system for feedback fromusers in the implementation of newtechniques is important.

An example of the bottom-up

approach is the construction ofterrace-type wetlands, which allowspublic participation in monitoring andmaintenance. Other wetland parksand restoration programs involvedthe participation of the private sector,schools, fisherfolk and localresidents. The bottom-up approachrequires an ecosystem approachwherein understanding of thesituation, monitoring and analysisshould be done.

Urban wetland restoration has a high potential in sato-umi wherein both the naturalscience and social science are given due consideration.

Community-based Seagrass Bed Restoration and Managementin Seto Inland SeaProf. Osamu Matsuda, Hiroshima University

This paper discussed the restoration of eel grassbeds in Akou Coast, which is ademonstration site for the sato-umi concept. Education and restoration activities wereimportant components of the project. Strong community involvement in the project

The topThe top--down approach for Urbandown approach for UrbanWetland RestorationWetland Restoration

The Committee(Decision Maker)

Secretariat of the Committee(Decision Making Process)

WG3: MonitoringWG1: Land WG2: Sea

Represented by BureauManagers of Related

Ministries and LocalGovernments (30)

Represented bySection Chief of

Related Bureau (30)

Goal: Restore the beautiful coastal environment forGoal: Restore the beautiful coastal environment for

enabling pleasant use and sustaining biodiversity as aenabling pleasant use and sustaining biodiversity as a

wealth of capital.wealth of capital.

Action Plans for Tokyo Bay

Renaissance

Tokyo Bay Renaissance Project, 28th March 2003 :Tokyo Bay Renaissance Project, 28th March 2003 :10 years action plan

The bottomThe bottom--up approach for Urbanup approach for Urban

Wetland RestorationWetland Restoration



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implementation made therestoration project successful.Sectors of the communitydiscussed future plans and aSato-umi Committee has beencreated to oversee the activitiesin the Akou Coast.

The presentationconcluded that tidal flats andseagrass beds in the Seto InlandSea have drastically deterioratedmainly because of land-basedhuman activities. It is thereforeessential that efforts to restoreboth watersheds and coastalareas are done.

Supporting Activities for the Creation of Sato-umi in Japan

Mr. Yasuhiro Muroishi, Mr. Takuya Yamada and Mr. Naoto Ogawa, EMECS, Ministryof the Environment

Degradation of coastal ecosystem and decline of material circulation functions whichresulted to the decline of fisheries resources are some of the pressing problems Japan iscurrently facing. To address these problems, restoration activities such as establishing sato-umi to provide habitat for fish and shellfish were initiated.

The activities that support the establishment of sato-umi includerehabilitation/restoration of seaweed beds and mudflats, and implementation of waterpollution measures with the active participation of the local public organizations. Efforts tosupport the promotion and creation of sato-umi by the Ministry of Environment includecreation of model projects on sato-umi, preparation of standard sato-umi plans,

establishment of sato-umi manual, selection of examples of advanced sato-umi activities,creation of a sato-umi website and data network, creation of publicity activities and provisionof information overseas.

“ Sato-Yama ”

“Sato-Umi

”

Combined management of “ Sato-Yama ” an d “ Sato-

Umi ” is more effective from the view point of material

flow and int egrated coastal management (ICM)

Conceptual view of “ Sato-Yama ” and “ Sato-Umi ”

Village

Community

Boundaries

↓

Concept & Image of Sato-umi

Coastal zone where land and coastal zone are

managed in an integrated and comprehensive mannerby human hands, with the result that material circulationfunctions are appropriately maintained and both highproductivity and biodiversity are preserved.

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PART 2: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES IN PROTECTING, RESTORING, AND MANAGING KEY HABITATS

Implementing an Ecosystems Approach to Coastal Management throughCommunity-based Organizations: An Example from Andaman Coast, ThailandSomsak Soonthornnawaphat* and Janaka de Silva, IUCN-Thailand Programme

This paper presented how communities manage to protect the watershed in Thailand.It described an approach based on the “reef to ridge concept” that is similar to theecosystem-based approach applied to coastal rehabilitation and management. Thisapproach utilized the bottom-up process which is stakeholder-driven building upon thecommunity-based organizations. Formulation of the framework of action throughparticipatory process involving stakeholder proved to be successful.

Implementation of Tri Hita Karana, a Local Wisdom of Bali to MaintainAgricultural ResourcesDr. Ir. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta, Pasca Master University of Udayana, Indonesia

This paper described the

implementation of Tri Hita Karana or the harmonious relationshipamong man, nature and God whobrings welfare and happiness. TheBalinese Hindu community believesthat man is part of the wholeuniversal system created by God.Tri Hita Karana constitutes a part ofthe local wisdom in Bali, Indonesiain the field of agriculture to maintainagricultural resources.

Community Efforts in the Restoration of coastal Green Belt in Danang CityMr. Truong Cong Hai, Danang Department of Natural Resources and Environment,Vietnam

The presentationdiscussed the modelsdeveloped in mobilizingvarious human resources forurban greening which wasinitiated by an executive board

to include leaders ofdepartments, sectors,agencies. The executiveboard coordinates all activitiesof the project to ensureparticipation of socialorganizations, enterprise andcommunities. Financialcontributions from enterprises

Tri Hita Karana conception

Temple Rice field

Farmers

Farmers

Pawongan Palemahan

Parhyangan

Planters: students, unionsPlanters: students, unions’’ members, soldiers... With support frommembers, soldiers... With support from

expertsexperts

•• On each site, planters have to plant trees according to techniqOn each site, planters have to plant trees according to techniqueue

requirements.requirements.

•• Stakeholders commit to take care and protect green areas asStakeholders commit to take care and protect green areas as

tecniquetecnique requirements.requirements.



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(polluters) were received to aid project implementation. The project’s success has beenattributed to stakeholder involvement; however, heads of organizations play a crucial role inthe active participation of stakeholders in the project.

Community Involvement in Coral Reef Restoration Projects in theGulf of ThailandDr. Thamasak Yeemin*, Chaipichit Saenghaisuk, Sitiporn Pengsakun, and MakamasSutthacheep, Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand

Lessons culledfrom the experiences inimplementing the projecton coral reef restoration atKoh Mapling project wereshared. The coral reefrestoration project wasdone in collaboration withlocal fishers, NGOs andsome volunteer groups. It

implemented a low-costcoral reef restorationmethod covering a smallarea that can be easilycontrolled and managedfor the benefit ofecotourism, education,public awareness,ecosystem restoration and research purposes. Good practices were replicated in other sitessuch as in Ao Mai Rood area. An important consideration in coral reef restoration is thesimplicity of techniques and methods and the availability of cheap materials.

Evaluation of Artificial Reefs (ARs) in West Coast, Peninsular Malaysia

Ilisriyani Ismail*, Kusairi Mohd Noh, Fatimah Mohamed Arshad and Aswani FarhanaMohd, Noh Universiti Putra Malaysia

The presentation examined the economic returns of artificial reefs to fishers. It alsodiscussed the impacts of artificial reefs on fisheries and the impacts of economic changes onthe socioeconomic conditions of fisherfolk in west coast, Peninsula Malaysia. The studyshowed that the deployment of these ARs is one of the effective ways in helping the fisher'sincome and profitability.

During the discussion, there was a concern on the long-term effects of these ARsconsidering that this project started recently therefore the long-term impacts of ARs are notyet known.

Community-based Management Approach at Work in the Muan Tidal FlatWetland Protection AreaMs. Ji Young Jang* and Yound Rae Choi, Eco-Horizon Institute, RO Korea

The presentation discussed the community-based approach in MPA managementpracticed in the Muan tidal flat wetland protection area in RO Korea. The approach hastwofold objectives: to empower the communities in MPA management; and demonstratecommunity-based approach as an effective and successful way to manage MPAs.

iii) additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coralfragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused inhorizontal and vertical directions;

iv) attaching branching fragments to dead branching corals bymeans of plastic straps.

Demonstration Projects of Coral Reef Restoration





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Conceptual Framework in Organizing Communities for Effective MangroveManagementMs. Josephine Savaris*, Ms. Rosalie Joven, Mr. Rodney Golbeque, and Mr. EfrenAdvincula, Zoological Society of London

Ms. Savaris presented thefour-year project on Community-based rehabilitation and theframework of organizingcommunities developed by theZoological Society of London (ZSL)in Western Visayas. The

presentation emphasized the role oforganized communities inmangrove management providingthe formal structure on whichdecisions and projectimplementation and sustainabilitydepends. The presentation alsoshared a process for communityorganizing and identifiedchallenges, which includesustaining rehabilitation activities, securing tenurial instruments, sharing responsibilities withlocal governments, improving socioeconomic conditions and mitigating impacts of climatechange.

Indigenous Approaches to Access, Control and Protection of CoastalResources: A Review of Philippine experiencesProf. Elmer Ferrer, University of the Philippines

The presentation reviewed several indigenous practices in the use, control andprotection of coastal resources, such as the vanua and mataw, among traditional fishingcommunities in Batanes, northern Philippines and in Palawan, southern Philippines. Itpresented practices of fishing communities that live in harmony with nature throughharnessing the ecological knowledge of fishers, observing economic arrangements to protect

When the cradle fallsWhen the cradle falls……

Change in InstitutionalArrangement (fromDB-REMO to PAMB)

Sense of LosingOwnership of MS

Project

Fragmentation ofMonitoring,Control &

Surveillance (MCS)protocol

“Opening Up” ofMarine Sanctuary to

Fishing Frenzy(2005)

Decrease in hardcoral cover and

fish stocks

Mangrove ecology training

MOA signingCross site visit

Delineating planting area



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the environment, and the implementation of organizational rules, taboos and ritualsformulated by the association of users. The presentation also highlighted the challengesfaced by indigenous practices and institutions in a fast modernizing world.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions of the theme include:

1. The workshop recognized that long-term cooperation mechanisms among localcommunities, scientists, private sector, and local government are necessary toensure sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.

2. The sato-umi workshop stressed the need to explore diverse community-basedapproaches in protecting, restoring and managing key habitats which integratetraditional ecological knowledge, local wisdom and cultural beliefs. Drawing onthe knowledge of traditional societies to develop new models of sustainabilitywhich combine modern science and traditional ecological knowledge in coastalcommunities was identified as critical.

3. As coastal communities are faced with increasing habitat degradation and loss,sato-umi concepts and practices were recognized as providing an opportunity toassess human communities' relations with nature.

4. The workshop highlighted that participatory and community-based activities torestore and rehabilitate an ecosystem, is an effective mechanism to encouragethe community and other stakeholders to take part in the conservation andmanagement to their own resources.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The theme's recommendations on the sato-umi concept and its application in Japan:lessons and application included the need for:

1. Building on existing community-based partnerships aimed at empowering localcommunities and widening partnership participation to include multiplestakeholders from local to national levels;

2. Exploring institutional frameworks to coastal management which reflects localneeds, circumstances and characteristics to ensure diversity in approaches;

3. Integrating science into management decisions and managing habitats throughapplication of biological information from all available data sources; and

4. Recognizing the importance of ecological networks and interconnectivity of forestto sea, including human dimension, successful ICM needs to include acomprehensive management of the material flow from mountain-farm-river to thecoastal sea.

On the indigenous knowledge and community based approaches in protection,restoring and managing key habitat, the recommendations included:

1. Developing potential models of sustainability that incorporate and build on the



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rich cultural histories and indigenous knowledge in Asia;

2. Managing coastal habitats by increasing public awareness, adopting appropriatelegislation and strengthening enforcement;

3. Coordinating across sectors to improve governance and efficiency, andaddressing transboundary issues; and

4. Exploring institutional frameworks, such as sato-umi, for managing natural andhuman systems.

Documents

Proceedings of the Workshop on Indigenous Approaches to Habitat Protection and Restoration: Experiences in Sato-umi and other Community Initiatives