Today, social interest in the conservation of biodiversity, coexistence with living things, and other aspects of natural environment preservation is showing remarkable growth and expansion. “Road Ecology,” which elucidates the relationship between roads (in a broad sense, transportation infrastructure) and wildlife, has developed since R.T.T. Forman et al. wrote “Road Ecology” in 2003, with the aim of harmonizing the development of transportation infrastructure networks for building sustainable social systems with the natural environment. On the other hand, in our country, there are extremely few venues for presentations on the relationship between transportation infrastructure and wildlife, so information exchange among stakeholders is not progressing, and its utilization in various projects such as roads is limited at present. Therefore, we have launched the “Road Ecology Research Society” with the purpose of contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the qualitative improvement of the social environment in the development, management, and operation of transportation infrastructure through information exchange and sharing, and dissemination and enlightenment regarding academic research and technology development on roads, natural environments, and wildlife. Regardless of natural or social sciences, we aim to build networks among researchers, practitioners, administrative agencies, NPOs, etc., across Japan related to roads (transportation infrastructure), natural environments, and wildlife, provide venues for research presentations and information exchange, collaborate with overseas organizations, and contribute to the development of ecological infrastructure design rooted in Japan’s local climate by diverse entities.

Representative: Akira Kameyama
December 2015