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  5. Atsushi Abe
Okinawa Churashima Foundation RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Research on subtropical plants

Research staff profile

Atsushi Abe

Atsushi Abe

Manager, Botanical Laboratory

Area of
expertise		 Forest ecology
Research
content		 Research study on endangered plants of Okinawa
Flora of Iriomote Islands

Background

  • 2012 - Current post at the Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute
  • 2001 - Worked at the Ocean Exposition Commemorative Park Management Foundation
  • 2001 - Bachelor of Agriculture in Agro-Environmental Science/Forest Ecology University of the Ryukyus, Japan

Awards received

  • 2022 Outstanding Paper Award, The Japanese Society for Plant Systematics
  • 2020 Conservation & Cultivation Award, Japan Association of Botanical Gardens
  • 2016 Sakazaki Encouragement Prize, Japan Association of Botanical Gardens
  • 2016 Award of Excellence, Presentation Meeting of Case Studies in Subtropical Greening in Okinawa
  • 2015 First Prize, International Landscape, Orchid & Bonsai Show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2014 Encouragement Prize, Okinawa Regional Study Meeting of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Research papers, Essays, Reports

  • Maehara Y., Kinoshita A., Rammitsu K., Abe A., Kajita T., Kawaguchi D., Mukai A.,Yukawa T., Ogura-Tsujita Y. 2024. Mycorrhizal fungi involved in the recent expansion of Geodorum densiflorum in the Bonin Islands, Japan. Proceedings of the 2024 World Orchid Conference.
  • Kaori Tsunenari, Takuro Ito, Masatsugu Yokota, Mayu Shibabayashi, Chiharu Endo1, Kuo Fang Chung, Yoshihisa Suyama, Ayumi Matsuo, AtsushiAbe, Akiyo Naiki, Hiroaki Setoguchi, Takashi Makino & Yuji Isagi. 2024. Double migration of the endangered Tricyrtis formosana (Liliaceae) in Japan. Scientifc Reports 14: Article number:957.
  • Akiyo Naiki, Tadaki Nakasone, Tetsuo Ohi-Toma, Koji Yonekura, Atsushi Abe. 2023. Rediscovery of Exallage auricularia (Rubiaceae) from Yonaguni Island, Okinawa, Japan. Journal of Japanese Botany 98(3): 134-139.
  • Ken Tokuhara, Hiroyuki Sato, Atushi Abe, Kento Rammitsu, Yuki Ogura-Tsujita, Masahiro Mii. 2024. Seed germination and protocorm development of Platanthera stenoglossa Hayata subsp. iriomotensis (Masam.) K. Inoue (Orchidaceae) in both asymbiotic and symbiotic cultures.
  • Ken Tokuhara, Hiroyuki Sato, Atushi Abe. 2024. Effects of BA and STS on Shoot Induction from Rhizome of Cymbidium sinense. Proceedings of the 2024 World Orchid Conference.
  • Hiroyuki Sato, Ken Tokuhara, Kazumitsu Miyoshi, Tomohisa Yukawa, and Atsushi Abe. 2024. The Effects of Sucrose Concentration, Temperature, and Illumination on Asymbiotic Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Endangered Orchid Diploprora championii. Proceedings of the 2024 World Orchid Conference.
  • Ken Tokuhara, Hiroyuki Sato, Atushi Abe, Masahiro Mii. 2023. In vitro optimization of seed germination and protocorm development in Gastrochilus japonicus (Makino) Schltr. (Orchidaceae), Plant Growth Regulation 101: 693-702
  • Kenji Suetsugu, Shun K. Hirota, Koji Yonekura, Atsushi Abe, Yoshihisa Suyama and Tian-Chuan Hsu. 2023. First record of Thrixspermum annamense (Orchidaceae) from Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with discussions on its intraspecific taxonomy. Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica 74(2): 121–129.
  • Goro Kokubugata, Satoshi Kakishima, Chan-ho Park, Takuro Ito, Atsushi Abe, Chikako Ishii and Gwan-Pil Song. 2023. A new record of Ardisia×walkeri, a hybrid of A. japonica and A. pusilla, (Primulaceae) from Jeju Island, Korea. Journal of Species Research 12(3): 258-265.
  • Mayu Shibabayashi, Takuro Ito, Junichi Nagasawa, Toshiaki Shiuchi, Goro Kokubugata, Atsushi Abe, Akiyo Naiki, Shota Sakaguchi, Taiga Shimizu, Kazuki Kurita, Yuji Isagi. 2023. Distinct conservation situations of two local critically endangered species, Vaccinium emarginatum (Ericaceae) and Elatostema platyphyllum (Urticaceae), growing on the global distribution edge. Frontiers in Ecoligy and Evolution 11.
  • Goro Kokubugata, Satoshi Kakishima, Atsushi Abe, Koh Nakamura, Kuo-Fang Chung and Masatsugu Yokota. 2023. Phylogenetic Relationships among Populations of Portulaca okinawensis (Portulacaceae) in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan Using MIG-seq SNP Data. Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. B, 49(1): 33–40
  • Akiyo Naiki, Masaharu Amano, Koji Yonekura, Kotaro Okoshi, Yukiko Saito, Takenori Yamamoto, Takuto Shitara and Atsushi Abe. 2022. A New Locality for Elatostema lineolatum Wight var. majus Wedd. (Urticaceae) from Iriomote Island, Japan, Acta Phytotax. Geobot., 73 (3): 219–222.
  • Aiko SUNAGAWA, Kota INADA, Takeshi HAYAMA, Eriko GUSHIKEN, Hiroyuki SATO, Atsushi ABE, Masaharu AMANO. 2023. Showcase an exhibition of ex situ plants using Paludarium method, in Tropical Dream Center, Ocean EXPO Park, Japan. Bulletin of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens 57: 81-86.
  • Yui KAJITA, Koji YONEKURA, Hironori TOYAMA, Kensei AKAI, Masaharu AMANO, Atsushi ABE, Takuto SHITARA, Takenori YAMAMOTO, Yukiko SAITO, Masatsugu YOKOTA and Akiyo NAIKI. 2022. A provisional list of alien plant species on Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan. Bulletin of the Osaka Museum of Natural History 76: 125-141.
  • Kenji SUETSUGU, Mikio KASHIMA, Masaharu AMANO, Koji YONEKURA and Atsushi ABE. 2021. A new iocality of Sciaphira sugimotoi (Triuridaceae) from Iriomote Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy 69(2): 189-191.
  • Hiroyuki SATO, Eriko GUSHIKEN, Masaru YAMASHIRO, Atsushi ABE. 2021. Effect of air temperature and fertilization level on seedling development of Uraria picta（Fabaceae）in Miyako Island, Japan in establishing a growth technique for ex situ conservation. Bulletin of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens 56: 50-55.
  • Shota Sakaguchi, Atsushi Abe, Koki Nagasawa, Daiki Takahashi, Hiroaki Setoguchi, Masayuki Maki, Ryuta Kyan, Takako Nishino, Naoko Ishikawa, Shun K. Hirota, Yoshihisa Suyama and Motomi Ito. 2021. Functional Traits Divergence in Parallelly Evolved Rheophytic Populations of Solidago virgaurea L. Complex (Asteraceae)in Japan, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica 72(2):93-111.
  • Chie Tsutsumi, Ayako Maeda, Atsushi Abe, Yumi Yamashita, Tomohisa Yukawa and Satoshi Kakishima. 2021. Genetic diversification of Oberonia (Orchidaceae) in Japan, with implications for the species taxonomy. Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. B, 47(3): 131–141.
  • Atsushi Abe, Tadaki Nakasone and Masatsugu Yokota. 2020. Situation ReportⅣ: Endangered Plants of Okinawa Islands (Zamami Is.), Journal of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, 55: 63-69.
  • Hiroyuki SATO, Eriko GUSHIKEN, Atsushi ABE. 2020. Effect of seed treatment, temperature, soil materials and covering for seed germination and seedling development of Uraria picta （Fabaceae）. Bulletin of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens 55: 48-54.
  • Goro Kokubugata, Atsushi Ebihara, Yukiko Saito, Masaharu Amano, Atsushi Abe, Koh Nakamura, Akiyo Naiki, Tadashi Kajita and Masatsugu Yokota. 2020. New Localities of Seed Plants Recorded from the Subtropical Ryukyus of Japan at Island Level Based on Herbarium Data, Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. B, 46(2), 75-87.
  • Jinya YAMAZAKI, Masatsugu YOKOTA and Atsushi ABE. 2019. Flora of Izenajima Island, Yanahajima Island, Nohojima Island, and Gushikawajima Island, The Iheyajima Islands. Survey Reports on Natural History, Hisutory and Culture of Izenajima and Iheyajima islands: 37-58. Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum.
  • Hiroyuki SATO, Kensei AKAI, Ken TOKUHARA, Hana UMEMOTO, San’ei ICHIKAWA, Atsushi ABE. 2019. Limiting temperature on the survival of Diploprora championii（Orchidaceae） seedlings in Amami-Oshima Island, Japan. Bulletin of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens 54: 13-17.
  • Mayu Shibabayashi, Kazuki Kurita, Yuji Isagi, Masatsugu Yokota, Atsushi Abe, Kensei Akai, Goro Kokubugata, Tomohisa Yukawa, Junichi Nagasawa, Toshiaki Shiuchi, Sanei Ichikawa, Toshimasa Hashimoto, Shota Sakaguchi, Tsutomu Teramine. 2019. Genome-wide analysis of rare plant species growing at the edge of distribution, DNA Polymorphism Vol.27: 62-65.
  • Atsushi Abe, Tadaki Nakasone and Masatsugu Yokota. 2018. Situation Report III: Endangered Plants of Okinawa Islands (Iheya Is.), Journal of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, 53: 18-26.
  • Yu TAKAHASHI, Akiko BABA-KASAI, Atsushi ABE, Kensei AKAI, Mitsunori AKIBA, Shinya HIRASHIMA, Akito KAGA, Norihiko TOMOOKA. 2018. Collection and Conservation of Legume Genetic Resourceson Okinawa Island, Yagaji Island, Kouri Island and Hamahiga Island in 2017. AREIPGR, 34: 1-16.
  • Taku Mizuno, Masahiro Takayama and Atsushi Abe, 2017, A New Record of Panicum paludosum: An Endangered Species of Okinawa Island, Biol. Mag. Okinawa 55: 39-41.
  • Atsushi Abe, 2016, Preservation Project of Okinawa’s Native Orchids by Okinawa Churashima Foundation, Newsletter of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens~Let’s Protect Nature of Homeland, Plants and Citizens’ Effort to Conserve Plant Diversity~, 20, 4.
  • Atsushi Abe, Tadaki Nakasone and Masatsugu Yokota, 2016, Situation Report II: Endangered Plants of Okinawa Islands (Aguni Is., Tonaki Is.), Journal of Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, 51, 80-85.
  • Atsushi Abe, Tadaki Nakasone and Goro Kokubugata, 2016, Noteworthy Collection Records of Lipocarpha microcephala (Cyperaceae) and Polygala chinensis (Polygalaceae) from Kume Island of the Ryukyu,Japan, Bull. Natl. Mus. Sci., Ser. B, 42(2), 73-76.
  • Masatsugu Yokota, Noriko Sato, Atsushi Abe, Tadaki Nakasone, Jin Yamazaki, Mika Chinen and Yukiko Saito, 2015, 2 Species of Climbing Plants Newly Found from Southern Ryukyus, Japan, Biol. Mag. Okinawa, 53, 123.
  • Masatsugu Yokota, Atsushi Abe and Noriko Sato, 2015, Vascular Plants Newly Found in Miyako Islands, Bulletin of Miyako City Museum, 20, 121-128.
  • Atsushi Abe, Hiroyuki Sato, Yuta Takaesu, Haruki Sunagawa, Jun Higa, Takeshi Hayama, Hiroshi Miyagi and Tsudoi Maedomari, 2014, The Regional Biological Diversity Conservation Plan in the Fiscal 2013 (Oogimi Regional Partnership Conservation Plan), Project Report, Ministry of the Environment & Oogimi-village, 40-56.
  • Saeki I.,・Kitazawa A.・Abe A.・Minemoto K. and Koike F., 2014, Phylogeography of a rare orchid, Vexillabium yakushimense: Comparison of populations in central Honshu and the Nansei Island chain, Japan., Plant Systematics and Evolution, 300, 1-12.
  • Atsushi Abe, 2013, Scientific Research: Promoting Greening by Utilizing Honey Bee, Public Relations Magazine of Okinawa Churashima Foundation FENUKAJI, 28.
  • Atsushi Abe, Koji Miyagi, 2013, Model Project Report of Ex-situ Conservation of Lilium callosum var. flaviflorum: Investigating a Method of Returning Lilium callosum var. flaviflorum to its Wild Habitat by Seeds, Report of Ex-situ Conservation Study of Endangered Flora & Fauna in the Fiscal 2012 (contract work from Ministry of the Environment), Japan Wildlife Research Center, 32-45.
  • Yuichi Fukunaga, Atsushi Abe and Shinichiro Sawa, 2011, Record of Lecanorchis amethystea (Orchidaceae) in Okinawa (Report of Newly Discovery Site), Journal of Japanese Society for Plant Systematics BUNRUI, 11(2), 151-154.
  • Atsushi Abe, Koji Miyagi, 2010, Rare Plants in Kitadaitojima Island and Minamidaitojima Island, Annual Report of Tropical Plants Research, 32, 61-72.
  • Atsushi Abe, 2010, Orchids Growing in Nature of Okinawa ~Seeking Their Appearance in Wild~, Commemorative Publication of 50th Anniversary of Okinawa Orchid Society, 32-34.
  • Yoshihiro Hanashiro, Atsushi Abe, 2007, Research of Rare Plants in Miyako Archipelago, Annual Report of Tropical Plants Research, 29, 61-72.
  • Masatomo Miyazato, Atsushi Abe and Sakura Ikadai, 2007, Research of Rare Plants in Northern Area of Okinawa Island, Annual Report of Tropical Plants Research, 29, 53-60.
  • Atsushi Abe, 2005, Research of Every Tree in Forest Area of Ocean Expo Park, Annual Report of Tropical Plants Research, 27, 19-30.
  • T Enoki, A Abe, 2004, Saplings distribution in relation to topography and canopy openness in an evergreen broad-leaved forest, Plant Ecology, 173(2), 283-291.
  • Tsutomu Enoki, Atsushi Abe, 2001, Distribution of Natural Young Growth in Subtropical Laurel Forest of Northern Okinawa Island, Abstract of Lectures from Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan, 48, 200.

Books

  • 2022, Familiar Sub-tropical Plants of Okinawa,　Masayuki Hayashi, Hatsumi Naka, (author of　column), Borderink LLC, 146.
  • 2021, GREEN AGE 2021(3), Urban greening activities of Okinawa Churashima Foundation, (author), Japan Greenery Research and Development Center, 25-26.
  • 2020, Protection ordinance of precious wild animals and plants in Okinawa Prefecture – Identification handbook of designated species,first edition, - (photo courtesy of Abe), Nature Conservation Division Department of Environmental Affairs Okinawa Prefectural Government, 21-24,26.
  • 2018, Threatened Wildlife in Okinawa, Third Edition (Fungi and Plants) - Red Data Okinawa －(coauthor and photo courtesy of Abe), Nature Conservation Division　Department of Environmental Affairs Okinawa Prefectural Government, pp708.
  • 2015-2017, Wild Flowers of Japan, OHASHI, Hiroyoshi, KADOTA, Yuichi, MURATA, Jin, YONEKURA, Koji and KIHARA, Hiroshi (eds.), (photo courtesy of Abe): 1–5, Heibonsha, Tokyo.
  • 2013, Pictorial Record of the Exhibition by Okinawa Prefectural Museum “Gift from the Sea, Mountain, River. A Big Exhibition of Living Creatures! Biodiversity Hot Spot Japan”, Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, pp192.
  • 2009, “Pictorial Book of Tropical Fruits” (coauthor), Ocean Exposition Commemorative Park Management Foundation, pp159.
  • 2005, “Plants from Omorososhi” (coauthor), Ocean Exposition Commemorative Park Management Foundation, pp31.
  • 2001, “LIST OF PLANTS Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park, Ocean Exposition Area” (coauthor), Ocean Exposition Commemorative Park Management Foundation, pp31.

Social contribution activity

  • Member of the Scientific Committee of World Natural Heritage in Amami-Oshima Island,　Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
  • Council of Okinawa Prefecture Natural Environment Conservation
  • Member of the Okinawa Prefecture Designated Rare Wild Fauna and Flora Species Selection Review Committee
  • Editorial Board Member & Subcommittee (Vascular Plants), Revision of the Okinawa Prefecture version of the Red Data Book
  • Investigation Committee (Plants), Nago City Cultural Assets Preservation Committee
  • Plants Diversity Conservation Committee, Japan Association of Botanical Gardens

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