Research Support Office Research Advancement Division. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| TEL | +81-42-367-5944 |
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This program is supported by MEXT’s scientific technology human resource development fee grant, "Program to Disseminate Tenure Tracking System".
Home > Tenured Faculties > Watanabe Makoto
Watanabe Makoto
| Affiliation | Institute of Agriculture |
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| Division | Division of Environmental Science on Biosphere |
| Research field | Environmental Biology |
| Keyword(S) | Air pollution, Tree physiological ecology, Photosynthesis |
| Url | http://web.tuat.ac.jp/~m_nabe/home.html |
| Research experience | ･Apr. 2001-Dec. 2003: CIC Inc. |
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| Educational background | ･1999 Graduated Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology |
| Awards | * The latest information is shown at the member's website. ･2017.9: Progress Award of Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment |
| Selected papers and publications | * The latest information is shown at the member's website. ･Watanabe, M., Hoshika, Y., Inada, N., Wang, X., Mao, Q. and Koike, T. (2013) Photosynthetic traits of Siebold’s beech and oak saplings grown under free air ozone exposure in northern Japan. Environmental Pollution, Vol. 174, 50-56. |
Tropospheric ozone is phytotoxic air pollutant. The concentration of ozone has been increasing especially in Asian region because of rapid increase in emission of the main ozone precursors. Forest trees contribute to a mitigation of global warming by their carbon fixation function and to a production of woody biomass resources. However, recent increase of ozone may inhibit those functions of forest trees. Therefore, risk assessment of ozone impacts on forest tree species is important for protecting healthy forest as well as an efficient reduction in ozone precursors. Current risk assessments are conducted based on the relationship between amount of ozone exposure and growth reduction obtained from experimental study with tree seedlings. However, there is a uncertainty in this method to apply to the fields with various environmental conditions. It is important to establish process-based model based on tree physiological ecology ranging from stomatal ozone uptake to effects on whole-tree or vegetation growth. On the other hand, there is a big difference in sensitivity to ozone between tree species. In addition, environmental conditions (e.g. soil and climate conditions) affect the sensitivity of trees to ozone. The objectives of the present study are clarification of tree responses to elevated ozone with special attention to species difference and effects of other environmental condition and establishment process-based model for risk assessment of ozone impact on forest tree species.
The Tenure Track Program in TUAT provides ideal situation for starting the career of young researcher with sufficient fund, independent laboratory and reduced committee work. I have started my work with an easy mind owing to good suggestions from mentor professor. Another attractive point is stimulative discussions with many tenure track researchers. Of course we are evaluated with strict criteria. But I think it is necessary to be a real independent academic staff.
The twenty century supported by fossil fuel consumption was over. In this century, we must develop the usage of biomass resources as one of the most important renewable resources for sustainable society. A dramatic change in atmosphere environment including air pollution which induces negative impacts on plant production is serious problem that must be solved for human life. I try to do my best for this issue from viewpint of tree physiological ecology. In addition, I would like to emphasize an education of next generations who can propose solutions of environmental problems based on scientific viewpoint.
