Unveiling ecosystem processes of watersheds at the interface of land and ocean
　　
    The forest, stream, and marine ecosystems within a watershed are intricately interconnected. Water, sediment, and wood regimes originating from the forest significantly influence stream and coastal environments. Numerous animals, including fishes and shrimps, migrate between the ocean and streams, while aquatic insects, amphibians, birds, bats, and mammals traverse between forests and streams. These migratory animals serve to bridge two spatially distinct ecosystems by transporting resources and/or interacting with other community members. Dynamic and heterogeneous watershed landscape allow diverse organisms to co-exist in nature.
　　While the spatial couplings of ecosystems are often considered surprising, they are supported by ecosystem processes facilitated by watershed connectivity. We investigate these ecosystem processes within watersheds using field-based approaches such as direct observations, surveys, and field manipulative experiments.
　　Unfortunately, the majority of ecosystems on our planet have been degraded. However, biota have evolved and adapted to thrive in natural environments. By studying how biota live and interact with each other in natural ecosystems, we aim to better understand nature and provide essential foundational information for humans to coexist with nature. Our research group visits pristine natural ecosystems around the world to study the broader scope of nature, collaborating with scientists from various backgrounds.