scholarly journals Collect, connect, upscale: Towards coordinated monitoring of migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Fuller ◽  
Micha V. Jackson ◽  
Tatsuya Amano ◽  
Chi-Yeung Choi ◽  
Robert S. Clemens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Population Change ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Migratory Shorebirds ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Technical Solutions

ABSTRACT Monitoring migratory species can be extremely challenging. For example, millions of migratory shorebirds migrate from breeding grounds in northern China, Mongolia and Russia to East Asia and Australasia each year, traversing more than 20 countries while on migration. Studies within individual nations have identified rapid declines in many species, yet progress toward a fully unified scheme for continuous tracking of population change at the scale of the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway has been slow. To reflect on lessons learned and consider how further progress might be made, we review some of the factors that have limited the full emergence of shorebird monitoring in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including fragmentation among multiple databases, low data readiness, inadequate metadata and gaps in survey coverage. We conclude that while technical solutions for many of these issues do exist, the biggest challenge is to navigate the significant organisational, socio-cultural and resourcing contexts of those people doing the monitoring. Technical solutions alone will not create a cohesive network of people whose local efforts are pooled to create robust flyway-scale monitoring.

scholarly journals A Bridging Role of Winter Snow over Northern China and Southern Mongolia in Linking the East Asian Winter and Summer Monsoons

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (22) ◽  
pp. 9849-9862
Author(s):  
Mengmeng Lu ◽  
Zhiming Kuang ◽  
Song Yang ◽  
Zhenning Li ◽  
Hanjie Fan
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Asian Summer Monsoon ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
The South ◽  
Northerly Wind ◽  
Northern Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Winter Snow

AbstractEurasian snow, one of the most important factors that influence the Asian monsoons, has long been viewed as a useful predictor for seasonal monsoon prediction. In this study, observations and model simulations are used to demonstrate a bridging role of the winter snow anomaly over northern China and southern Mongolia (NCSM) in the relationship between the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) and the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Enhanced snow in NCSM results in local surface and tropospheric cooling, strengthening the EAWM through cold-air intrusion induced by northerly wind anomalies. In turn, the stronger EAWM provides a favorable condition for enhanced snowfall over East Asia to the south, indicating an active snow–EAWM interaction. The continental cooling could be maintained until summer due to the memory effect of snowmelt and moistening as well as the snow–monsoon interaction in the spring, causing changes in the meridional temperature gradient and associated upper-level westerlies in the summer. The interaction between the strengthened westerlies over the northern Tibetan Plateau and the topography of the plateau could lead to anomalous downstream convergence and compensating divergence to the south. Therefore, anomalous cyclonic circulation and increased rainfall occur over northeastern China and the Korean Peninsula, but anticyclonic circulation and decreased rainfall appear over the subtropical East Asia–Pacific region. Moreover, limited analysis shows that, compared to sea surface temperature feedback, the direct impact of snow anomaly on the EAWM–EASM connection seems more important.

scholarly journals Security expertise and international hierarchy: the case of ‘The Asia-Pacific Epistemic Community’

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Jerdén
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Social Order ◽  
International Security ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Epistemic Community ◽  
Political Order ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
The Political ◽  
Regional Stability ◽  
General Explanation

AbstractMany states partially relinquish sovereignty in return for physical protection from a more powerful state. Mainstream theory on international hierarchies holds that such decisions are based on rational assessments of the relative qualities of the political order being offered. Such assessments, however, are bound to be contingent, and as such a reflection of the power to shape understandings of reality. Through a study of the remarkably persistent US-led security hierarchy in East Asia, this article puts forward the concept of the ‘epistemic community’ as a general explanation of how such understandings are shaped and, hence, why states accept subordinate positions in international hierarchies. The article conceptualises a transnational and multidisciplinary network of experts on international security – ‘The Asia-Pacific Epistemic Community’ – and demonstrates how it operates to convince East Asian policymakers that the current US-led social order is the best choice for maintaining regional ‘stability’.

The “Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere”: A New Boundary for Taiwanese People and the Taiwanese Capital, 1940–1945 (臺灣人的對外移民與投資, 1940–1945)

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man-houng Lin (林滿紅)
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Overseas Chinese ◽  
Pacific War ◽  
Ethnic Chinese ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Taiwanese People ◽  
Overseas Investment ◽  
Direction Opposite

This article deals with Taiwanese civilian emigration and overseas investment in the period of 1940–1945 when Japan engaged the Greater East Asian War. Taiwan in general, and some Taiwanese in particular, helped the reconstruction of Japanese occupied areas in this war. Overseas Taiwanese mainly worked as employees for Japanese stores, companies, mines, plantations, and Japanese government offices, but also opened stores, factories, plantations and banks by themselves. As overseas ethnic Chinese, the Taiwanese civilian emigrants examined in this paper moved in the direction opposite that of other overseas Chinese holding Chinese nationality. The Taiwanese populace expanded overseas to Greater East Asia, while Chinese nationals withdrew from this area and returned to China. Thus, this paper will illustrate how the phrase, “people should fight for their country,” bore different meanings for these two different types of overseas Chinese in the Asia-Pacific War theater of wwii. 1930至40年代，中日學者曾就華僑的定義進行討論。吳主惠將華僑定義為定居於海外的中國人及其後裔，不包括駐外政府官員和留學生。吳氏認為華僑的最嚴格定義，是指定居海外但仍保有中國國籍者。1933年日本大藏省為替局統計臺灣地區約有46,000至47,000名華僑，便是依據這樣的定義。吳氏指出，在此嚴格定義下，華人後裔如不具中國國籍者，便非華僑。另有一種較為寬鬆的定義是: 無論是否具中國國籍，凡定居或曾赴海外的中國人及其後裔皆為華僑，井出季和太即持此見。關於日本統治臺灣時期的臺灣人國籍，根據日本大藏省為替局的解釋，由於馬關條約簽訂後的二年內，臺灣人得自由決定離去與否，留下臺灣者為日本國民。這些成為日本國民的臺灣人或其祖先曾具有中國國民的身分，因而1933年的340萬臺灣人也被視為較寬定義下的華僑。在日本建構所謂的「大東亞共榮圈」時期 (1940–1945)，許多不具軍人身分的臺灣人向海外移民或投資，與之相反的是，擁有中國國籍的華僑在此時期則多回歸故里。在大東亞戰爭時期的華人，由於出身不同，「為國而戰」一詞對於他們的意義也因而分歧。 (This article is in English.)

scholarly journals Palaeoproteomic analysis of Pleistocene cave hyenas from east Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyun Rao ◽  
Yimin Yang ◽  
Jinyi Liu ◽  
Michael V. Westbury ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Ancient Dna ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Spotted Hyena ◽  
Proteomic Data ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

Abstract The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is the only extant species of the genus Crocuta, which once occupied a much wider range during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. However, its origin and evolutionary history is somewhat contentious due to discordances between morphological, nuclear, and mitochondrial data. Due to the limited molecular data from east Asian Crocuta, also known as cave hyena, and the difficulty of extracting ancient DNA from this area, here we present proteomic analysis of cave hyenas from three locations in northern China. This marks the first proteomic data generated from cave hyenas, adding new molecular data to the east Asian populations. Phylogenetic analysis based on these protein sequences reveals two different groups of cave hyenas in east Asia, one of which could not be distinguished from modern spotted hyenas from northern Africa, tentatively the result of previously suggested gene flow between these lineages. With developments of instrumentation and analytical methods, proteomics holds promising potential for molecular phylogenetic reconstructions of ancient fauna previously thought to be unreachable using ancient DNA.

scholarly journals Migratory songbirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway: a review from a conservation perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
DING LI YONG ◽  
YANG LIU ◽  
BING WEN LOW ◽  
CARMELA P. ESPAÑOLA ◽  
CHANG-YONG CHOI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Southern China ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Migratory Songbirds

SummaryThe East Asian-Australasian Flyway supports the greatest diversity and populations of migratory birds globally, as well as the highest number of threatened migratory species of any flyway, including passerines (15 species). However it is also one of the most poorly understood migration systems, and little is known about the populations and ecology of the passerine migrants that breed, stop over and winter in the habitats along this flyway. We provide the first flyway-wide review of diversity, ecology, and conservation issues relating to 170 species of long-distance and over 80 short-distance migrants from 32 families. Recent studies of songbird migration movements and ecology is limited, and is skewed towards East Asia, particularly Mainland China, Taiwan, Russia, Japan and South Korea. Strong evidence of declines exists for some species, e.g. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola, but tends to be fragmentary, localised or anecdotal for many others. More species have small breeding ranges (< 250,000 km2) and/or are dependent on tropical forests as wintering habitat than those in any other Eurasian migratory system, and are thus more vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation throughout their ranges. Poorly regulated hunting for food and the pet trade, invasive species and collisions with man-made structures further threaten migratory songbirds at a number of stop-over or wintering sites, while climate change and habitat loss may be of increasing concern in the breeding ranges. A key conservation priority is to carry out intensive field surveys across the region while simultaneously tapping into citizen science datasets, to identify important stop-over and wintering sites, particularly for poorly-known or globally threatened species across South-East Asia and southern China for targeted conservation actions. Additionally, the advent of miniaturised tracking technology, molecular and isotopic techniques can provide novel insights into migration connectivity, paths and ecology for species in this migration system, complementing data from banding exercises and observation-based surveys, and could prove useful in informing conservation priorities. However, until most states along the East Asian-Australasian flyway ratify the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and other cross-boundary treaties, the relative lack of cross-boundary cooperation, coordination and information sharing in the region will continue to present a stumbling block for effective conservation of migratory passerines.

Russia and East Asia Challenges

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 58-71
Author(s):  
A. Fedorovskii
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Legal System ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Area

The article deals with the prospects for Russia’s “pivot to the East” taking into account main chances as well as risks in the context of growing challenges in East Asia. The author stresses that national and regional misbalances in East Asia are the results of the dynamic development of East Asian countries during the last 15 years. “Middle class trap” is at the agenda as the main common problem in China and ASEAN member countries. The analysis focuses also on such issues as broad scaled corruption and state-controlled legal system, quality of political, social institutions and social lifts, role of nationalism and culture. Regional misbalances in infrastructure and R&D as well as the crisis of regional institutions are characterized as new challenges to integration trends in East Asia and Asia-Pacific area in general. According to the author’s view, there are three different types of policies to meet the domestic challenges and to overcome “middle class trap”: Japanese, South Korean and Chinese. Prime Minister Ikeda’s “income-doubling plan” accompanied by public activity is described as an effective reform-oriented policy. South Korea’s transition from dictatorship to democratic society and more flexible economy is another type of positive reform policy. According to China’s modern domestic strategy, a lot of attention is paid to administrative measures against corruption, modification of social policy, reforms of banks, etc. At the same time, public activities and legal system, in spite of some improvements, are still under rigid administrative control. Meanwhile, the role of law will be crucial factor of successful development of East Asian countries at the stage of “middle class economy”. To a large scale, the prospects for regional integration depend on growing creative role of China (for example, investments into regional infrastructure and establishment of special bank, initiations of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area). At the same time, China will continue cooperation and dialogue with other countries, first of all with the USA. ASEAN members increase their activity to improve sub-regional cooperation and relations with United States and Japan in order to couterbalance China’s influence in East Asia. Finally, the author describes Russia’s policy towards East Asia and the Pacific, including brief history, main trends and key priorities at the current stage. “Free Vladivostok port” and some other initiatives to realize more flexible economic strategy towards East Asia and Pacific will give opportunity for Russia to promote its integration into the Pacific Area. Transition of Russia’s export structure from resources and energy to innovation goods and services is at the agenda.

Tokyo will push to keep influence in South-east Asia

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
East Asian ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asian Leadership ◽  
Foreign And Security Policy

Subject Outlook for South-east Asia-Japan relations. Significance Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets US President Donald Trump on February 10. This follows his January 12-17 tour of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia and new US defence secretary James Mattis's visit to Tokyo and South Korea last week. China’s assertiveness and influence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the policy uncertainties surrounding the Trump administration threaten Japan’s traditional foreign and security policy settings and East and South-east Asian leadership role. Impacts South-east Asian states will try to play China and Japan off against each other for improved infrastructure financing. Australia and Japan are now the leading countries committed to the TPP’s continued relevance. Vietnam is likely to seek deeper economic and security ties with Japan. Japan may face US pressure to conduct South China Sea freedom-of-navigation patrols.

scholarly journals Factors of geography and security in the integration construction: the case of East- Asian integration

2012 ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
A. A. Baykov
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
East Asia ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
Military Cooperation ◽  
Institutional Features ◽  
Asian Integration ◽  
The Cold War ◽  
The Impact

The paper analyzes the impact of geography and security threats on the dynamics and forms of integration cooperation in the area of East Asia. In particular, it is concluded that both the institutional features of the integration in Asia Pacific, and approaches in the field of cooperation between local states have been largely predetermined by the system of military cooperation and military-political agreements, which were formed during the "cold war".

'Disaster diplomacy' to gather pace in South-east Asia

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
East Asian ◽  
The United States ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Defence Cooperation

Subject The implications of diplomatic competition in South-east Asian humanitarian and disaster response activities. Significance Two major defence cooperation exercises focusing largely on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) will convene in February. Both exercises are South-east Asia-based but encompass the wider Asia-Pacific in their membership. Humanitarian responses to natural disasters are an increasing focus in ASEAN's security pillar, and a growing priority in South-east Asia's external partners' defence policies, particularly the United States, China, Japan, India, Australia and Russia. Impacts Increasing sums will be committed to help ASEAN develop HADR capacity. The 'ASEAN way' of consensus and non-interference in members' internal affairs will confine ASEAN's HADR activities to natural disasters. ASEAN HADR will not feature in humanitarian crises arising from political or ethnic conflict. US use of HADR initiatives to connect with South-east Asian militaries (when needed) will increase.

North Korea-South-east Asia ties face headwinds

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
North Korea ◽  
East Asian ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
The Sea Of Japan ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dialogue Process

Significance Last week, Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur imposed travel bans against each other’s citizens following the February 13 murder in Malaysia of Kim Jong-nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother. South-east Asia has worked to integrate North Korea into the Asia-Pacific region through the ASEAN dialogue process. However, Pyongyang’s missile launch into the Sea of Japan on March 6 is likely to have greater impact on South-east Asian views of North Korea than Malaysia's diplomatic spat over Kim Jong-nam. Impacts Likely North Korean efforts to expand trade with South-east Asia will see limited success. The Kim Jong-nam murder and China’s position may add further strain to the Philippines-US relationship. South-east Asian states are unlikely to support China’s wish to punish South Korea economically for deploying the THAAD system.

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