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  • © 2012

Lake Biwa: Interactions between Nature and People

  • First complete compilation of the interaction between humans and nature around Lake Biwa
  • First complete compilation of Lake Biwa's changing environments and biota
  • Describes all current problems and their solutions associated with Lake Biwa

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eBook USD 169.00
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Softcover Book USD 219.99
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Hardcover Book USD 219.99
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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxx
  2. Biodiversity of Lake Biwa

    • Machiko Nishino
    Pages 31-153
  3. Ecological Changes in Lake Biwa

    • Machiko Nishino
    Pages 155-238
  4. The Use of Lake Biwa and People’s Lifestyle

    • Masayoshi Maehata
    Pages 309-369
  5. Evolving History of Lake Biwa and Yodo River Basin Management

    • Masahisa Nakamura, Yoshihiko Ogino, Michio Akiyama, Kunihiro Moriyasu
    Pages 371-417
  6. Environmental Conservation of Lake Biwa

    • Masayoshi Maehata
    Pages 419-513
  7. Appendix

    • Machiko Nishino, Masaharu Yoda, Masayoshi Maehata
    Pages 515-732
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 733-744

About this book

This book focuses on the long-term interactions between people and nature in and around Lake Biwa, one of the oldest lakes in the world. Accordingly, it not only covers the characteristics of the biota of this ancient lake, but also approaches it as a ‘cultural ancient lake.’
Furthermore, various problems affecting the lake, especially recent environmental changes that occurred before and after Japan’s rapid economic growth of the 1950s and 60s, are reviewed, including water pollution, lakeshore development and the reclamation of attached lakes, alien and invasive species, and problems related to the recent warming of the climate.
Lastly, by analyzing data on these problems collected by the local government and residents of the lake basin, the book provides a comprehensive outlook on the future of Lake Biwa and people’s lifestyles. As such, it provides indispensable information for all people engaged in improving and conserving water regimes around the world, as well as people interested in the culture and history of Japan.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Lake Biwa Museum, Kusatsu, Japan

    Hiroya Kawanabe, Masayoshi Maehata

  • Research Institute, Lake Biwa Environmental, Otsu, Japan

    Machiko Nishino

About the editors

Hiroya Kawanabe is Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University and Curator Emeritus of the Lake Biwa Museum.  He is the Founding Director of the Center for Ecological Research, past President of the International Society of Species in Ancient Lakes, the Ecological Society of Japan and the Japanese Society of Ecology and Civil Engineering.  His research themes are community ecology and life-culture diversity.

Machiko Nishino is the Head of the Integrated Analysis Division at the Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute. Her research themes are ecology of freshwater invertebrates and conservation ecology.

Masayoshi Maehata is a Professor at Kobe Gakuin University and Curator Emeritus of the Lake Biwa Museum. Research themes are fish ecology and conservation ecology.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access