To the members of the Kyushu Branch of the Zoological Society of Japan

Thank you very much for your continued understanding and cooperation with our branch activities.
We are pleased to announce the upcoming public symposium to be held in Okinawa as follows.
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Date: May 17, 2025 (Sat)
Venue: Okinawa University, Main Building, Alumni Association Hall & Entrance Hall
Public Symposium 15:40 - 17:40

Nature of the Central and Southern Regions of Okinawa Island: Past, Present, and Future
Convener: Atsushi Tominaga (Univ. of the Ryukyus, Education)

The Yanbaru region in the northern part of Okinawa Island has been designated or registered as a national park and a World Natural Heritage site, attracting attention both in Japan and overseas as an area where a precious natural environment remains. Meanwhile, regarding the nature of the central and southern parts of Okinawa Island, as research progresses on the organisms living and growing there, it has become clear that a unique natural environment with characteristics different from those of Yanbaru remains, and it is gaining attention. However, in the central and southern parts of Okinawa Island, which are close to the major city of Naha and its surrounding cities, the natural environment that has managed to survive in small patches is being destroyed by various developments. In addition, many local populations of native organisms are facing the brink of extinction, with some rare wildlife species declining due to the invasion of new non-native species.
In this symposium, experts will introduce the status of native organisms inhabiting and growing in the natural environments remaining in the central and southern parts of Okinawa Island. In addition, using keywords such as "nature positive," the "30by30 target," and "nature-harmonious sites," the Okinawa-Amami Environmental Office will introduce recent nationwide trends surrounding biodiversity conservation. Building on this, we hope to discuss and exchange views on what we involved with living things in Okinawa can do to conserve the natural environment and wildlife in the central and southern parts of Okinawa Island, and connect these discussions to future initiatives.

S01: Current status of cave-dwelling microbats in central and southern Okinawa Island
Tsuneo Tamura (Okinawa Limestone Cave Association NPO)

S02: Characteristics of Arthropods in Central and Southern Okinawa
Kenshi Sasaki (Ryukyu University, Fujukan)

S03: Snails that are the only ones of their kind in the world facing an existential crisis“
Hirofumi Kubo (University of the Ryukyus, Fujukan Museum)

S04: Spring-fed stream-type Scutellaria rubicunda var. amagiensis — An evolutionary stage distinct from Yanbaru
Tetsuro Tenda (University of the Ryukyus, Faculty of Science)

S05: Regarding local amphibian and reptile populations remaining in southern Okinawa
Shiroma Daiki (Univ. of the Ryukyus, Grad. School of Engineering and Science) / Tominaga Atsushi (Univ. of the Ryukyus, Faculty of Education)

S06: Enhancement of Regional Biodiversity
Yasumasa Sawashi (Ministry of the Environment, Okinawa-Amami Regional Office)

Panel Discussion: What can we do to conserve the natural environment and wildlife in central and southern Okinawa Island?
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If you are interested, we would be delighted if you could make time in your schedule.

I look forward to working with you.

Mitsuharu Yagi (Nagasaki University), General Affairs, Kyushu Branch, Zoological Society of Japan