Botany: Basic Research Plan

Plant Taxonomy Research Aiming for a Comprehensive Overview of Biodiversity

Objective

Collect specimens and materials of flowering plants, ferns, bryophytes, algae, and fungi to extract diverse natural history information from them. Based on these specimens and information, conduct taxonomic and evolutionary research, as well as conservation research focusing on the relationship with the environment. We aim to gather foundational information for all diversity sciences—including phylogeny, biogeography, ecology, and resource utilization—and ultimately compile it into a comprehensive database that will serve as a complete overview of diversity.

Background

  1. The mission of the Kahaku rests on three pillars: (1) Research, (2) Collection, and (3) Exhibitions and Education. While our research activities are advanced through integrated and basic research, the basic research must contribute to collection building, and a system must be established to make the results of our research available for use by both the academic community and the general public.
  2. Concept of Comprehensive Overview of Diversity: While major biodiversity databases like those listed in Reference Material 2 already exist, the Comprehensive Overview of Diversity is an integrated database designed to encompass complementary information while also ensuring interoperability with other databases.
  3. The foundation for integrating molecular phylogenetics and taxonomic research was largely completed through integrated research conducted during the previous medium-term plan. Based on this integration, the current medium-term plan will more effectively incorporate molecular phylogenetics into basic and integrated research.
  4. In addition to enhancing our comprehensive collection, we conduct conservation research on organisms from the perspective of their connection to the environment.
  5. Current Evaluation of Botanical Collections [ Appendix 1 (opens in a new tab)]
    • Depending on the taxonomic group, the level of collection varies widely, ranging from those that lack the basic information needed for collection assessment to those with sufficiently comprehensive collections of specimens native to Japan.
    • The quality of research also varies widely, ranging from studies focused only on morphology to those incorporating molecular phylogenetics and molecular genetic methods.

Research Plan

Common Policies

  1. To create a comprehensive overview of biodiversity, conduct research focusing on a wide range of non-animal groups—including vascular plants, bryophytes, algae, lichens, fungi, and slime molds—through specimen-based research, complemented by methods such as molecular phylogenetic analysis to conduct taxonomic, evolutionary, and plant diversity conservation research. By doing so, we will elucidate the characteristics and diversity of species.
  2. To understand the diversity of Japan's plants from a global perspective, conduct research with a focus on species from Japan and its related regions.
  3. In collaboration with the Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research and the Center for Collections, collect and utilize DNA samples (genetic resources) as well and utilize them for research.

Plan Overview for Individual Taxonomic Groups (Five-Year Medium-Term Plan)

Mosses Conduct research in Japan and neighboring Asian regions, focusing on regions that have not yet been surveyed, taxonomic groups not yet represented in collections, and taxonomically unresolved groups.
Ferns Actively collect specimens to fill gaps in their known distribution, including those from newly discovered locations. In addition, aim to enhance our collection of overseas specimens (particularly from Asia) for comparative purpose, as well as elucidate the true nature of known "species" by utilizing molecular data.
Seeds Conduct research to clarify the distribution and morphological variation of plants native to Japan and, through international collaboration, perform taxonomic studies of plants in neighboring regions, with a focus on East Asia.
Fungi Accurately assess the scale and quality of our existing collection and conduct phylogenetic systematics research on noteworthy taxonomic groups, incorporating molecular data. In particular, focus on enhancing our collection of macrofungi from regions west of Kanto and north of Tohoku, as specimens from these areas are underrepresented in our collection among those from Japan.
Lichens To understand the diversity and unique characteristics of lichens native to Japan (particularly endemic and endangered species) from a global perspective, conduct research that focuses on species from Japan and related regions.
Macroalgae Advance the collection, investigation, and research of specimen materials from species native to Japan, with the goal of collecting 70% of all such species. Regularly update (publish) our list of species native to Japan and include images of the specimens to publicize the status of Kahaku's collection of these species. By the final fiscal year, compile taxonomy information, specimen images, endangered and endemic statuses, and distribution information for 70% of species native to Japan to clarify the biogeographical characteristics of the country's overall macroalgal flora.
Microalgae Examine Japan's indigenous freshwater diatom flora using our existing collection. For species with high endemism, conduct field collections to enhance our specimen collection and secure specimens for molecular phylogenetic analysis. For other freshwater species, accumulate specimens and samples to a level sufficient to support the work of applied researchers. For marine species, collect and accumulate materials in preparation for integrated research.
Slime Molds Accept specimens, database existing holdings, provide information for the ongoing compilation of the list of species native to Japan, and conduct assessments using the completed list.
Living Plants As a base for the conservation of wild plant diversity in Japan and East Asia, enhance our collection of endangered and endemic plant species, while also aiming to establish a general collection that provides a comprehensive overview of global plant diversity.

Reference Materials

Department of Botany: Collection Policy

  1. Collect plants and fungi (all taxonomic groups) from around the world, with a primary focus on Japan and its surrounding regions.
  2. Actively accept collections from external sources.
  3. Prioritize acquiring specimens from taxonomic groups and localities not currently represented in our collection.
Specifically, we collect specimens in accordance with the Department of Botany's policy, taking into account the current state of each taxonomic group.
  1. Vascular Plants  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 80% of the species native to Japan (5,500 species).

    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of 85% of species native to Japan (5% increase).
    2.  
  2. Mosses  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 84% of the species native to Japan.
      •   
    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of 87% of species native to Japan (50 species, about 3% increase).
    3.  
  3. Lichens  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 50% of the species native to Japan (1,560 species).

    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of about 55% of species native to Japan (5% increase).
    4.  
  4. Macroalgae  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 55.9% of the species native to Japan (1,542 species).
      •   
    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of 70% of species native to Japan (about 15% increase).
    5.  
  5. Fungi  
    • ent State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 44% of the species native to Japan (estimated 12,000 species).
      •   
    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of 45% of species native to Japan (100 species, about 1% increase).
    6.  
  6. Slime Molds  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 90% of the species native to Japan.
      •   
    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: No specific initiatives are planned.
    7.  
  7. Microalgae  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Our collection includes about 80% of the species native to Japan (about 1,000 species) for freshwater diatoms.
      •   
    • For other microalgal taxonomic groups, taxonomic systems have changed significantly over the past 30 years. Therefore, the work of identifying species native to Japan is itself still a work in progress.

    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of 85% of freshwater diatoms (5% increase; although the total number of species used as a baseline is expected to increase significantly)
    8.  
  8. Living Plants (Vascular Plants)  
    • Current State of Specimen Collection: Of the species native to Japan (varieties and above; about 6,500 species), our collection includes endangered plants (27%) and endemic plants (25%).
      •   
    • Goal for the Next Medium-Term Plan: Achieve collection coverage of 35% of endangered plant species native to Japan (+144 species) and 35% of endemic plant species (+220 species).

Examples of Major Biodiversity Databases

Encyclopedia of Life Compiles diverse information for all named species, including their taxonomic position and ecological information. While abundant information is available on individual organisms, it does not directly address their interactions with one another.
GBIF A database of organism occurrence data, focusing on specimen and sighting information.
Tree of Life Provides information on the biodiversity and phylogeny of organisms. Phylogenetic and life history information for each taxonomic group is presented in a branching evolutionary format, but the content tends to be limited to individual descriptions.
PROSEA A database of utilitarian plants in Southeast Asia. While information exists on Southeast Asian plants, which are generally underrepresented globally, data on non-utilitarian plants is largely lacking.