Why a Social Scientist was Selected for Science and Technology DiplomacyThe vast Sahara Desert stretches across North Africa. Egypt’s Western Desert, located to the east of the Sahara Desert, is dotted with oasis villages that have existed since the time of the pyramids. Abundant groundwater has brought sustenance to the people liv-ing in this desolate desert. The SATREPS research project comprises three aspects, the first of which focuses on allocating well water for agricultural use.The Villages of the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert are Research Groundwater, however, is a finite resource that eventually de-pletes. What can be done to preserve the future of this precious oasis water? This is a challenge for the world, not just for Egypt. Iwasaki’s SATREPS research project, “Securing the Sustainability of Oasis Societies Associated with Water and Land Use in the Western Desert,” is a step towards addressing this challenge.It is notable that Iwasaki, the project leader, is neither a hydrolo-gist (a specialist of global water cycles) nor an agricultural scien-tist. She is a specialist in Egyptian socio-economy who has been conducting research on Egyptian society for 15 years. It is highly unusual for SATREPS to adopt a research project initiated from the field of social sciences.“SATREPS brings Japanese researchers and those from develop-ing countries together to drive innovations in science and technol-ogy. While most selected projects are in natural sciences, this time, my work as a social scientist was recognized as part of science and technology. I am very pleased — and I view this as a significant milestone for the social sciences,” says Iwasaki.Generally, water is studied in natural sciences, but it is indispens-able to human life and serves as a vital social resource. “To achieve water sustainability, we must not only leverage the lat-est science and technology, but also understand the wisdom and lifestyles that local communities have cultivated over centuries. After all, it’s people who put technology to use.”Allocating and Discharging Scarce Groundwater ResourcesSATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) our main study area. In this region, hundreds of wells, each shared by some 30 to 50 farming families, support agriculture. These wells tap aquifers at both less than 300 meters below the surface and much greater depths. The deeper aquifer contains prehistoric rain-water that cannot be replenished once withdrawn. We will first re-examine methods for allocating this water to explore how it can be used sustainably over the long term.”The second aspect is the issue of drainage and soil salinization.“When you water potted plants, any water not absorbed by the soil drains out through holes at the bottom of the pot. The same is true in agriculture. When you irrigate, some water drains away. That drainage carries trace amounts of salt, and in an arid climate the salt concentration gradually rises, contaminating the soil. This process is called salinization.In regions with regular rainfall, rainwater would wash the salt away. However, in oasis areas with little to no rain, poor drainage leads directly to salinization. “In Dakhla Oasis, there is a large ‘drainage lake’ in a low-lying area at the center of the village. The high salinity of this lake is caus-ing serious problems that prevent crops from growing. We plan to work with hydrologists and agronomists to develop effective drain-age management methods.” The third aspect of the project is the creation of an on-site digi-tal platform.“Because groundwater is invisible, it is difficult to know precisely where or when problems will occur. I want to build a system that lets local residents consult generative AI for reliable answers. The platform will simulate potential issues in advance, gather data, and consolidate the information. We also plan to produce user-friendly hazard maps for the community.”Checking the salinity at Well No3 District (Rashda village, Dakhla Oasis)SATREPS is an international science and technology cooperation program that promotes international joint research between Japan and developing countries to address global-scale issues. The program is conducted jointly by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, a national research and development entity, and Japan International Cooperation Agency, an independent administrative agency that provides technical cooperative support to developing countries. It has thus far initiated around 200 projects in 60 countries, in four main research fields: environment and energy, bioresources, disaster prevention, and infection control.17
元のページ ../index.html#17