Iwata, Takashi
Faculty of Environment and Information Studies Associate Professor
Contact Info
Research Overview
I conduct research using a method known as biologging, in which small data loggers or cameras are attached to animals to record their behaviour and surrounding environment. This approach enables us to reveal aspects of animal lives that have been difficult to observe directly in the wild. My research particularly focuses on marine mammals, including cetaceans such as whales and dolphins, as well as pinnipeds such as seals, with the aim of understanding their behaviour and acoustic ecology. I am also engaged in ecological studies of finless porpoises and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins inhabiting Osaka Bay. In addition to biologging, my research integrates multiple approaches—including underwater acoustic monitoring and dietary analysis—to achieve a comprehensive understanding of wildlife ecology. My research fields extend beyond Japan to marine regions around the world, and I collaborate with research institutions in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Thailand, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Building on fundamental research into animal ecology, my work also addresses broader challenges such as promoting coexistence between wildlife and humans, understanding the impacts of climate change on animals, and exploring ways to apply biologging technologies to address issues in marine environments.
Specialty
Animal Ecology