2022/5/24, Notojima
On May 24, 2022, we conducted a biodiversity survey of coastal creatures with fifth-grade students from Noto Island Elementary School at the rocky shore in Nagasaki Town. This initiative was organized in collaboration with the Noto GIAHS Biodiversity Working Group, supported by the United Nations University, and was prepared in conjunction with the City of Nanao. We invited Keiichi Sakai, an expert member from the Kanazawa University Marine Environment Research Center, as our instructor. Supporting us on-site were other working group members, Sayako Koyama (Researcher, UNU-IAS OUIK), Seiji Yanai (Ishikawa Prefectural University), Yasuko Kinoshita (Kanazawa University), and Nobuhide Gennai (Nagasaki in Noto Island). Additionally, Yoko Tomita (UNU-IAS OUIK) and Hideki Kobayashi (Kanazawa University) also assisted with the activities.
Initially, while listening to Mr. Sakai’s presentation, we reviewed our schedule for the day. When he asked the students, “Do you know any creatures you can find in the coastal area?” the children mentioned various creatures like “sea bream” and “fugu.” Mr. Sakai explained, “The coastline we are going to has many different creatures. Instead of collecting many of the same type, let’s aim to collect and observe as many different types as possible.”
Everyone changed into marine boots, took buckets for collecting creatures, and moved to the coast. The observation of living creatures began in the shallow rocky areas. The students discovered various creatures, noting that what appeared to be small stones up close were actually shells, and when using the collection box, they saw many small shrimp and fish swimming around. Some exclaimed, “There are a lot of fish, but they are too fast to catch,” and “There are shells, but they are stuck to the rocks and I can’t get them.” Despite their struggles, they worked together in groups to collect as many different species as possible for later identification.
After gathering a lot of creatures into their buckets, it was time for species identification. While listening to the instructor, the students grouped the same types of creatures on a tray. Looking at a reference sheet of coastal living creatures created by the working group, they observed and noted, “This shell looks similar but is slightly different,” and “Is this a hermit crab?” The instructor also provided explanations such as, “The shell with a pattern like a stone pavement is called Ishidatami,” and “The long and numerous shells are a type of Uminina.” The students were especially intrigued by a small and squishy creature called a white sea slug (Shiro-umiumi), which they found rare. They were surprised to learn, “This cute little white sea slug is about 3 to 4 cm, and this is generally the size of an adult.”
Finally, the students experienced name searching and information submission using a smartphone app called Biome, identifying types like “Purple Sea Urchin (Heliocidaris crassispina)” and “Brittle Star (Ophiuroidea).”
The United Nations University supports educational activities aimed at a sustainable future utilizing the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems “Noto Satoyama Satoumi.” Engaging with and observing familiar creatures, as well as listening to local residents, is seen as a first step in passing on Noto’s nature, traditions, and culture to the next generation. Through this biodiversity survey, we hope the students will gain greater interest in their local area and continue to deepen their understanding through various activities in the future.
