Main research projects currently underway

The Institute of Freshwater Biology makes full use of its facilities and equipment to undertake three main activities: (1) research on the nature of the Chikuma River basin, (2) the creation of an international and national research and education network, and (3) the promotion of advanced biological research and aquaculture techniques. At present, the following, mainly externally funded, activities are being carried out:

Research on river ecology for the restoration of Chikuma River. Researchers at the Institute of Freshwater Biology and river administrators will conduct joint research in the Chikuma River basin using an interdisciplinary approach that combines ecology, information science, and river engineering, and will contribute to the advancement and rationalization of river maintenance and management and the improvement of the river environment (funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, River Erosion Control Technology Research and Development Area).

Research on the management of the Japanese eel population (Japanese Eel Unit). Researchers at the Institute of Freshwater Biology and the Fisheries Agency are undertaking the development and analysis of management methods for understanding trends in eel resources, extinction risk, and pond management using data from catches, population genetics, and satellite tag migration surveys, with a mathematical model at the center of the framework (funded by the Fisheries Agency)

Research on Animal Personality. Like humans, animals have different personalities due to differences in genetics and environment. In addition, correlations between traits are observed, such as bold individuals being aggressive, and these are called behavioral syndromes. By rigorously controlling for genetics and environment, and by performing precise statistical analyses using mixed-effects models, we seek to elucidate patterns of animal personality from an adaptive perspective.

Research on population dynamics of Japanese crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The evolution of sex is a big question in biology. Using the laboratory’s ponds and experimental facilities, we will study the population dynamics and genetic exchange mechanisms of crucian carp, which include both asexual and sexual forms in their populations, to gain insight into the maintenance of sex and to understand the mechanisms by which crucian carp coexist.