A study session for the observation of living things using application software was held on Notojima Island, Nanao City.
Various activities for elementary school children, including study sessions for the observation of living things, have been held in the Noto region, but the information obtained through those activities has not been compiled or used adequately.
UNUV OUIK has been conducting model surveys using Biome and Ikimono Log, information-posting application software for living things. On Sunday, August 29, one of those surveys was carried out at Wakuwaku Natural Science Museum on Notojima Island, Nanao City.
The weather was good on the day of the survey, and 15 people including children and their parents, city officials, biologists, staff from UNUV OUIK and ARS Consultants Co., Ltd., a survey company, etc. participated in the survey. They went to a chemical-free rice field and captured living things. Children were not the only ones having fun; the adults enjoyed getting muddy while reliving childhood memories.
The participants used Biome to identify the species of the living things captured in the rice field. Although the application was not always accurate, it was convenient to use, because AI identified the species. In addition, the fact that the general public could reply to the posted questions was an advantage.
Furthermore, users of the application could see the rareness of the species, and posting information raised their level. Since using the application was like playing a game, even first-time users enjoyed it. We also suggested that participants post information using Ikimono Log, a more advanced application operated by the Ministry of the Environment.
Children who posted living things for identification said that it was surprising that even small differences between creatures distinguished them as being different species. They seemed to be experiencing first-hand the biodiversity of GIAHS-certified Noto Satoyama-Satoumi.
