Now Accepting New Graduate Students !!!
　　Graduate students in our lab will study under
　　Ecosystem Biology Course, Division of Biosphere Science,　
　　Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido Univ.

　　Contact for prospective graduate students:
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(Prof. Hara)

　Research Efforts
　Plant communities in the boreal region are likely tobe most affected by global environmental change. However, there are still many unsolved questions regarding plant communities in the boreal region. Our researches focus on theestablishment, regeneration and maintenance processes of herbaceous and forest communities in the boreal region, and their interaction with the physical environment.
　　Specific research topics are as listed below.

 　Field research in plant ecology
　1) Growth and competition of individual plants
　2) Dendrochronological research
　3) Three-dimensional spatial structure of forests

　Field measurements of the physical environment
　4) Radiation, temperature, rainfall in forests


　Fig. 1. Three-dimensional spatialstructure of the trunk and branches of a broad-leaved forest reconstructed from 　　data measured using the theodorite laser surveyor. The rectangle outlines the survey area (25 X 20 m)

Research in the laboratory
　1) Plant growth experiments using a biotron
　2) Analyzing the genetic make up of populations usingDNA fingerprinting
　3) Physiological and biochemical analysis of photosynthesis
　4) Development of mathematical models for scientificsynthesis

　Field study sites
　Forests and mountain meadows inHokkaido, Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia), north-centralEurope


Fig. 2. Sub-boreal forest in Taisetsu,Hokkaido (Betula ermanii , Abies sachalinensis, Picea jezoensis,etc.).
　By comparing photosynthetic mechanisms, we hope to elucidate how broad-leaved trees and conifers can coexist in the boreal region.

　Through collaborative research, we aim to synthesize the interaction between biological and physical processes.

1. Photosynthetic and phenological responses to environmental stresses, such as low temperature, desiccation, photo-inhibition.
2. Interactions among forest regeneration, growth, genetic make-up,energy and water cycle, soil development, glacial dynamics, and developmentof theoretical models to synthesize these processes that define the borealregion.
3. Ecological, genetic, systematic approach to the geographical differentiation of annual and perennial herbaceous plants from Hokkaidoto Kyushu.

　Lab Members

　　＜Staff＞

HARA, Toshihiko (Professor)
Professor Hara's research focuses on incorporating size,genetic, and spatial structure of populations into theoretical models ofplant growth and competition, regeneration and maintenance processes of plant communities, and plant species coexistence. Research sites includeplant communities of the boreal region, such as forests, annual and perennialherb communities. He aims to elucidate the interaction between biologicaland physical processes by synthesizing plant community establishment, regeneration and maintenance with global climate and environmental change.
　// Tel. +81-11-706-5455

SUMIDA, Akihiro(Associate Professor)
The three-dimensional structure of forests plays an importantrole as the basis for understanding establishment, regeneration and maintenance processes; primary production; and carbon, water and energy budgets. Dr, Sumida's research focuses on the three-dimensional structure of forestsand its development. In addition to field measurements, simulation models are used to elucidate the dynamics of boreal forests from the perspective of spatial structure.
　// Tel. +81-11-706-5507

ONO, Kiyomi (Assistant Professor)
　// Tel. +81-11-706-5469

HASEGAWA, Shigeaki (Assistant Professor)
　　// Tel. +81-11-706-7660

TABATA, Azusa (PD Fellow)
　

WAKATSUCHI, Moe (Lab Secretary)
　// Tel. +81-11-706-5455

Students

BONTEMPO E SILVA, Edgard Alves(Ph.D. candidate)
　

FUJIBE, Takumi (Master student)
　

HASHIGUCHI, Megumi (Master student)
　

Former members (2003-)

TODA, Motomu (as Research Associate)
KATO, Kyoko (as Research Associate)
YAMADA, Masahito (as Research Associate)
OSHIMA, Kazuhiro (as Research Associate)
MOHAREKAR, Shubhangi (as Research Associate)
BAE, Jeong-Jin (as Research Associate )
MOHAREKAR, Sanjay (as Research Associate)
UKAJI, Norifumi (as Research Associate)
SAEKI, Takako (as Administrative Assistant)

Former students (2003-)
TAKAYAMA, Yukari (as Master student)
YAMAGUCHI, Takahiro (as Master student)
OKUBO, Kenzo (as Master student)
KUJIRAOKA, Keisuke (as Master student)

　Hokkaido University
　Institute of Low Temperature Science