Satoyama–Satoumi Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Assessing Trends to Rethink a Sustainable Future

Satoyama–Satoumi Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Assessing Trends to Rethink a Sustainable Future T 2010 biodiversity target (committed to by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2002) to achieve a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met. In fact, the changes in biodiversity due to human activities have been more rapid in the past 50 years than at any time in history. There is now a high risk of dramatic biodiversity loss and accompanying degradation of a broad range of ecosystem services if ecosystems are pushed beyond certain thresholds or tipping points. At the same time, however, the human use of ecosystems and their services has contributed to substantial net gains in human well-being and economic development. It is unrealistic to apply mainstream approaches to environmental protection (e.g. expansion of protected areas and preservation efforts) while also attempting to reduce poverty and enhance human well-being. Finding a way to ensure optimal use of ecosystem services without creating loss of biodiversity is critical. In furtherance of this goal, the Japan Satoyama Satoumi Assessment ( JSSA) is a study of the interaction between humans and terrestrial–aquatic ecosystems (satoyama), and marine–coastal ecosystems (satoumi) in Japan. It examines changes in these ecosystems over the past 50 years by applying the framework of sub-global assessments developed by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). The MA, commissioned in 2000, focuses on changes in ecosystem services and their consequences on human well-being (ecosystem services being defined as the benefits people obtain from ecosystems). The overarching goal of the JSSA is to provide scientifically-credible and policy-relevant information on the significance of ecosystem services provided by satoyama and satoumi landscapes, and their contributions to economic and human development for the use of policymakers. The specific objectives of the JSSA are to: ■ improve understanding of the relationship between satoyama–satoumi and biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being; number 7, 2010