About the Center

Towards a Richer Environment in Estuaries and Coastal Lagoons

Matsue city is situated between two coastal lagoons, Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi, in the largest brackish-water zone in Japan. In recognition of this, Shimane University established the Research Center for Coastal Lagoon Environments (ReCCLE) in 1992 to promote basic research aimed at solving environmental and social problems in estuaries and coastal areas. The associated Nakaumi Field Laboratory (NFL-ReCCLE) was setup in 1997 on the shores of Lake Nakaumi. Many researchers, including extramural workers, have since carried out studies on the changing environment and distinctive biota of Nakaumi as well as the adjacent areas. Studies on the social characteristics of the hinterland and the highly productive brackish-water zones have shown these to be the major contributors in the maintenance of a delicate balance between the influences of sea, land, climate, and human impacts.

Based on its multi-disciplinary research and the database generated during the past ten years, ReCCLE was reorganized in April 2002 to develop a new model for the wise use of brackish-water environments. The reconfigured ReCCLE consists of two sections: Diversity Research and Environmental Change Research. The main objectives of the present research of ReCCLE are to identify sound conservation practices in brackish-water ecosystems, and to unravel the mechanisms of environmental change within the complex relationship between natural processes and human activities. In addition, ReCCLE is aggressively pursuing interdisciplinary research for the restoration of environments damaged by excessive developmental activities, as well as planning and execution of long-term research projects including observation of coastal lagoons and estuaries outside Japan (Project Research).

Basic Philosophy

Conservation and wise use of coastal lagoon and estuarine environments to ensure sustainable development of human society and the surrounding natural environment

Objectives

ĽUnraveling the mechanism of environmental change in brackish-water zones in relation to the complex systems of nature and mankind
ĽDeveloping a new model for the wise use of brackish-water environments