Preface
As in previous years, the fifth edition of "National Marine and Inland
Water Biological Stations" describes an introduction to Japanese National
Marine Stations and Inland Water Stations located along the long Japanese
islands arc.
In Japan surrounded by seas, nineteen marine biological stations (laboratories)
have not only played their important roles in education of the basic marine
biology but also made strong impacts on research of the marine biology in
various fields since Misaki Marine Biological Station of the Tokyo Imperial
University had been founded in 1897 as the first station in Japan and as
the third one in the world. In order to promote their functions further,
Iwaya Marine Biological Station of Kobe University and Sesoko Marine Science
Center of Ryukyu University were reorganized into Research Center for Inland
Sea in 1995 and Sesoko Station Tropical Biosphere Research Center in 1994,
respectively.
On the other hand, one of the reasons why education and research on the
hydrology and ecology are very active in Japan is also due to great contributions
from Inland Water Biological Stations. Among these three stations, Otsu
Hydrobiological Station of Kyoto University founded in 1914 was reorganized
into Center for Ecological Research of Kyoto University in 1991, expected
further development of the ecological research.
Board of Directors of the Japanese National Marine and Inland Water Biological
Stations has offered open summer courses or open spring courses of marine
biology and hydrology to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students belonging
Japanese National Universities. Besides, many independent researchers and
postgraduate students from exceed 30 countries have been accepted in these
stations (laboratories). When you read this pamphlet and set your mind to
study marine biology or ecosystem, never hesitate to knock the door of each
station (laboratory) described in this pamphlet.
June 1996
- Hitoshi Michibata, D.Sc.
- Chairperson of
- Board of Directors of
- the Japanese National Marine and
- Inland Water Biological Stations
