GRASSLAND ECOLOGY LABORATORY

Conserving grasslands.
Sustaining their use.

We study relationships among plants, soils, animals and the environment, seeking ways for diverse grassland life and human activities to coexist.

NEWSNews

13 November 2026　Mark and Helen Lieffering visited Obihiro from New Zealand and spoke at our laboratory seminar about agriculture, the environment and greenhouse gas (GHG) research. [Photos and visit report]
31 October 2026　Our laboratory members gathered for the 2026 group photograph. [Photos]
28 September – 4 October 2026　Kensuke Kawamura, Misato Itoh (M2) and Nene Shibusawa (B4) visited Vietnam as part of a joint research project with JIRCAS. They conducted fieldwork in rice-growing and inundated areas and exchanged information with local research institutions. [Photos]
26–28 August 2026　Kensuke Kawamura attended the 9th Korea-China-Japan Grassland Conference in Jeju, Korea, with Professor Masaaki Hanada, formerly of the Animal Production Course, and delivered an invited lecture. Professor Hanada wore a cow costume to introduce the next conference, to be held in Japan. [Photos & report | Conference website ↗]

Grassland vegetation survey

Plants, soils and grazing animals: how grasslands respond to their environment and management.

Observing plants and grassland condition

Field surveys and monitoring help us understand biodiversity and consider conservation and management.

Measuring grassland productivity

We study grazing and mowing systems that maintain production while accounting for environmental impacts.

We observe plants, examine soils and monitor animals. Questions arising in the field guide our study of grassland ecosystems.

We combine remote sensing, animal behaviour monitoring, spectroscopy, statistics and modelling to support conservation and sustainable use.

Curious about plants, animals and the natural environment? Join us to explore grassland conservation and sustainable use.

Fieldwork, research activities and everyday moments from our laboratory. Visit our Facebook page for recent posts and photographs.