Prof. Chih-hao Hsieh is awarded the Biwako Prize for Ecology

The 18th Biwako Prize for Ecology is awarded to Prof. Chih-hao Hsieh (謝志豪) from the Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University on July 18, 2015 in the Kusatsu City, Japan, by the Shiga prefectural governor, Mr. Taizo Mikazuki (三日月大造). Prof. Hsieh is recognized by the evaluation committee for his interdisciplinary approach to integrate theory, empirical data, and analyses for solving environmental issues, such as fisheries, eutrophication, and environmental changes impacting on ocean and lake ecosystems.

The Biwako Prize has been awarded annually since 1991 to researchers who have made academically and socially significant achievements that contribute greatly to the advancement of ecology (such as unique and original researches, development of new techniques and technologies, and important discoveries), or those that have great potential to solve important emerging issues, in particular, environmental problems. The prize is named after “bi-wa-ko” in Japanese. This largest lake in Japan has been recognized as a flagship model of environmental conservation, managements, and educations; the lake environment had been greatly degraded due to economic growth, eutrophication, and land use changes, but citizens as well as the local government have worked intensively from late 1970’s to recover and improve the lake environments. Local people recognize Biwako as the Mother lake.

Related information:
Asahi News: http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASH7L5G7PH7LPTJB00Y.html
Biwako Prize for Ecology: http://www.esj.ne.jp/esj/award/biwako/18ceremony.html