Initiatives at the Tomohiro Ichinose Research Group

Two projects are currently active: the SatoFC Project (*1), which uses SFC as its field to investigate biodiversity, and the Biomass Project, which researches effective methods for utilizing biomass.  

This project began in 2015, taking over the management of the biotope behind the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care building. It was renamed to its current project name in 2022 when it began surveying the biodiversity of the entire SFC campus. In addition to biological surveys of plants, aquatic life, insects, birds, and mammals, we conduct environmental assessments using remote sensing with drones and 3D scanners. As part of our biotope management work, we are primarily removing invasive species, targeting tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) and burdock (Arctium lappa). In particular, as of 2022, the number of burdock plants has been reduced to less than one-tenth of what it was before management work began. Through these activities, we aim to contribute to improving regional biodiversity.

This project started in 2023 with the aim of effectively utilizing biomass resources generated within SFC. The main activities involve the creation and development of charcoal and compost. While absorbing and fixing carbon dioxide emissions, we aim to achieve both resource circulation in the area surrounding the campus and the reduction of ecosystem management and disposal costs within the campus.

The SatoFC Project has introduced drones and 3D scanners to simplify biodiversity surveys and acquire wide-area forest structure data. This enables the quantification of the carbon sequestration function in SFC's forests. Furthermore, by combining this with species data, we aim to create habitat maps and vegetation maps.  

The Biomass Project began its activities in 2023. Previous surveys have revealed that approximately 270 tons of biomass resources at SFC are currently unused annually, and we are working on the creation and development of charcoal and compost for their effective utilization.

The Ministry of the Environment's "Sites in Harmony with Nature" certification system (*1) began in fiscal year 2023. This system certifies green spaces maintained through private sector initiatives that hold value for biodiversity. SFC was recognized for conserving the region's typical ecosystems and rare species.  

For this site, approximately 20 hectares of land (blue frame), excluding facilities (gray), have been certified, of which about 13 hectares are forested environments. The site is adjacent to the Endo Sasao Valley, an area of high biodiversity, and is part of an ecological network.

Value (3) Satoyama Environment Ecosystem

Animals and plants that inhabit and grow in the satoyama, such as Japanese hares and meadow buntings, as well as multiple environmental indicator species of Fujisawa City shown on slide 8, have been confirmed.

Value (4) Enjoyment of Ecosystem Services

The reservoir provides rainwater regulation, and the forested areas offer heat mitigation and carbon sequestration functions. Abundant biomass resources are used for charcoal and compost, as shown on slide 10.

Value (6) Habitat for Rare Species

The site includes planted evergreen broad-leaved forests, secondary deciduous broad-leaved forests, aquatic environments such as wetland biotopes, and grassland environments with Japanese pampas grass. The coexistence and maintenance of these environments have led to the confirmation of over 70 rare species, as shown on slide 8.