Thank you for reading! My name is Kenichi Ikeda, and I run the "Ecological Notes Web" website.
I usually work as a freelance environmental analysis technician, and in addition to that, I am an independent researcher of invertebrates (insects, spiders, etc.), plants, and interspecies interactions, and I also run a blog ! I currently live in Tokyo, but I'm originally from the Kansai region.
On this blog, I hope to write about things that interest me, not just my specialty, the animals.
Email: Contact Form
Twitter (@keinch64): Primarily for announcements.
Instagram (@planted_codon): I used to explain the ecology of flowers. Updates have slowed down since I switched to a blog, but I hope to post something again soon.
Amazon Author Profile: We sell both print and ebook versions of our publications.
BOOTH: We sell PDF versions of our publications.
Activity details
Our current activities are as follows:
Environmental assessment work
The term "environmental assessment" may be unfamiliar to you, but the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Environment explains it as follows:
Environmental assessment refers to a series of procedures based on the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, which are used when implementing large-scale development projects. These procedures involve the project operator predicting and evaluating the environmental impact of the project in advance, gathering opinions from residents and relevant local governments, and having the assessment reviewed from a professional standpoint to ensure that appropriate environmental considerations are taken into account during the project's implementation.
From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Environment website
It might be a little complicated, but simply put, it 's a job that involves surveying the natural environment, including living creatures, before constructing a building, collecting data, and analyzing it !
You might wonder, "What's the point of doing that?" But by ensuring direct safety for humans, such as preventing water and air pollution, and protecting the habitats of living creatures, we can reap benefits that humans often overlook, known as "ecosystem services." Therefore, it's an important task for coexisting with living things.
My main responsibilities involve laboratory analysis of soil animals, and I also identify insects and invertebrates. I previously had experience conducting field surveys of plants and insects.
For specific service details, please see here.
Blog Management
' This website primarily provides explanations about the classification, ecology, and relationship between animals and plants and humans.
I read a wide range of academic papers, both in English and Japanese, and cover topics that are not yet widely introduced in Japan.
If we only consider the numbers, it would be best to focus solely on "identification methods and how to distinguish them," but since the ecology of minor insects and soil animals, as well as the ecology of flowers and fruits, are rarely covered in other media, I would like to explain them as much as time allows.
However, I'm interested in a variety of things, not just biology, so I hope to write about useful items and services, as well as things I'm interested in.
Additionally, this page includes modified versions of articles previously published in "Ecological Notes" and "Instagram."
Please note that all photos, except for those quoted or affiliated, are original, and the text includes original analysis. If there is any malicious plagiarism, I will contact my affiliated organization. Citations are welcome.
Publishing business
dissertation writing
I have submitted articles to scientific journals about invertebrates or plants that I have collected and photographed, and which represent new records regarding their distribution or ecology. These results are available below.
Furthermore, in order to publish niche information, I obtained my own ISSN and publish my own journal , "Ecological Notes." While it hasn't been published recently due to profitability concerns, I've pursued it as a challenging endeavor.
In addition, I have previously co-authored introductions and discussion sections for submitted papers on a paid basis, and have also conducted literature reviews.
Writing the commentary
On Instagram, I have been compiling information and explanations for the general public about the structure of angiosperm flowers and pollinating insects, based on academic literature, which I have collected over the years. I added citations to this information and sold it as a book.
We have decided to publish an article on 'Ecological Notes Web' that provides more detailed and easily understandable information on this topic.
We plan to continue publishing in the future.
self-introduction
I like animals
I'm really good at looking up the names of living things!
Since my time in graduate school, while entomology, I have been identifying organisms as a hobby, for research, and for environmental assessment work. As an invertebrate analysis technician, I can identify soil animals, insects, spiders, and other organisms.
In my personal distribution and ecological surveys, I originally liked insects, but after studying ecology and understanding the interconnectedness of life, I no longer have a particular preference for taxonomic groups, and my work, including my personal projects, covers a wide range of subjects including animals, plants, and fungi.
When I work independently, my focus is more on ecological photography than collecting specimens.
It can have an impact on the environment, and it's undeniable that there are ethical issues involved.
Of course, they're sometimes essential for work and research, but I'd like to avoid them as much as possible. I don't have any desire to own them as a collection... But I'm confident that I have more photographic collections than anyone else!
I not only photograph wildlife, but I also frequently visit zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens to take pictures and learn from them.
I can distinguish most common Japanese species. However, there are still so many creatures in the world I don't know about... Searching for creatures I haven't photographed yet, all by myself, is very therapeutic for me.
I also have experience with community structure analysis using R. Although I've moved away from it since becoming a working adult, I'm still interested in interspecies interactions, community ecology, soil zoology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and evolutionary psychology, so I occasionally read books on the subject.
Minimalist (?)
I'm not a complete minimalist, but I think I have far fewer possessions than someone who could be called a minimalist.
I've never been particularly materialistic, but ever since discovering the concept of "minimalism," I've started getting rid of unnecessary items immediately and buying multi-purpose and foldable items. I've also digitized my books and music.
Instead, I'd like to spend my money on reading and services that allow me to experience things outdoors.
I believe that living with fewer possessions creates a sense of ease and frees up time, and is also good for the environment.
I'm a newcomer to history, but I love it.
History, in a broad sense, could be considered a form of biology.
While human dramas are enjoyable, it's also fascinating to see how history unfolds through more macroscopic causal relationships, such as those exemplified by Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs, and Steel," which explore biological and geological factors.
I've been studying quite a lot lately, and I'm hoping to pass the certification exam.
Before the pandemic, I used to visit art museums quite often. I'd love to go again...
I'm good at working on computers.
I am also interested in computers and have experience in image, video, and audio editing, as well as multivariate analysis and hypothesis testing using VBA and R.
Lately, I've been self-studying HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, and I'm trying out all sorts of things, from replicating websites and automating email creation using Google Apps Script (GAS) to statistical analysis with Python. Ultimately, I want to master these skills to the point where I can make a living from it.
I'm certainly proficient with Excel. I get a real sense of satisfaction when I can use functions to find the value I want in one go.
I love internet culture, so I watch a lot of YouTube. Vlogs and game playthroughs are my go-to content.
I like games... Nintendo games and games aimed at women, etc.
I love video games and I often play Nintendo games. I've played almost all of the series, including Pokémon, Super Smash Bros., and Pikmin.
Also, I'm bisexual, and although I haven't been able to tell many people, I often watch anime and play games aimed at women.
I prefer romantic works to passionate, action-packed ones...
I often play Touken Ranbu, Mahoyaku, and Hypnosis Mic.
However, I think he behaves and looks like a normal man.
qualification
Here are the qualifications I have obtained so far.
Biological Classification Skills Test Level 2 (Animal Section)
The Biological Classification Skills Certification aims to improve the knowledge of classification among those interested in biology, cultivate personnel who will be responsible for the survey and conservation of wildlife and the natural environment, and contribute to the development of animal and plant taxonomy. Furthermore, it aims to cultivate biological technicians involved in wildlife surveys and contribute to improving the accuracy of natural environment surveys. Registered holders of the Biological Classification Skills Certification Levels 1 and 2 are recognized as qualified to participate in the Ministry of the Environment's "General Competitive Bidding (Designated Competitive Bidding) Qualification Application." In addition, it is also used as a qualification for bidding on survey and conservation work related to the natural environment by the Forestry Agency, local governments, and other organizations.
『Natural Environment Research Center』
During my graduate studies, I thoroughly studied vertebrates and obtained this certification. I'm not sure about the current situation, but there were no textbooks specifically for this qualification, and it was quite difficult, so I was happy to have obtained it.
Certified Biotope Construction Manager (Level 2)
A biotope construction manager is a technician who works on construction sites, designing and constructing roads and river development projects in a way that does not infringe upon the surrounding environment or the habitats of wildlife.
『Midori Job News』
I obtained this certification while I was an undergraduate student. The legal status of biological organisms, for example, was very helpful.
Natural regeneration assistant
A "Natural Restoration Assistant" is a promoter of natural restoration who possesses the fundamental knowledge necessary for natural restoration. A "Natural Restoration Assistant" is expected to have the ability to assist "Natural Restoration Specialists" in their natural restoration work and activities. They may use the title "Natural Restoration Assistant." They can shorten the period of practical experience required to take the Natural Restoration Specialist qualification exam.
『Japan Greenery Center』
This is a bonus from my undergraduate days.
Food Safety Certification (Intermediate Level)
The Food Safety Certification is designed to provide people involved in the food industry (those who manufacture and sell food, those who develop food products, those who work in restaurants, those who prepare meals for children at home, etc.) with the basic knowledge to view food safety from a scientific perspective.
『Food Safety Certification Official Website』
I obtained this qualification when I became interested in the ecology of infections.
While food poisoning and similar incidents are things we hope to avoid, I also think they are fascinating natural phenomena caused by living organisms.
It was a hobby, but it broadened my perspective.
Python 3 Engineer Certification Basic Exam
The Python3 Engineer Certification Basic Exam aims to measure the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and correctly use the convenience of Python, and tests knowledge of fundamental Python syntax and other basic concepts.
『Agaroot Academy』
We acquired this in response to the growing demand for data analysis.
I remember cramming it all in about a week...
Although I don't use them often in practical situations, I plan to continue acquiring IT certifications in the future.
About the current office and myself
Below, I will explain how I got to where I am today.
Childhood to high school
My interest in insects began when I was a child.
However, I wasn't particularly interested in the unusual appearance of insects; I was more interested in the ecology of living things in general, not just insects. I enjoyed taking ecological photographs, identifying them, and collecting them, and since I didn't have much money, I thoroughly researched species names on the internet by myself.
It's like completing a Pokémon Pokedex, if you will.
I learned a great deal from and relied upon "Insect Explorer" and "Mushi Navi," which were pioneers in posting ecological photographs of insects at the time.
Normally, people might be interested in rhinoceros beetles or stag beetles, but I was more interested in flies and booklice, which can be found everywhere.
I was more interested in small, unfamiliar insects than in large, rare creatures.
At the time, I was completely devoted to living things, so I had no hesitation whatsoever and went to a university where I could study biology.
University students to graduate students
My time as a university student was a very enjoyable period, surrounded by fellow animal lovers and abundant nature.
I also began studying plants, and without being limited by region, I became able to handle a wider range of terrestrial organisms than anyone else.
However, because this initiative involved photography, it was not understood or taken lightly by some people.
I pursued graduate studies specializing in soil animals, and I enjoyed the research itself.
However, the research here was all specialized, which was boring for me since I get bored easily and am interested in a wide range of taxonomic groups.
Furthermore, I increasingly felt that the research environment wasn't a good fit for me.
I was encouraged to pursue a doctorate, but when I considered becoming a researcher in the future, I felt it would be difficult for me to continue pursuing a single topic in depth, and I wasn't interested in the male-dominated competition for advancement and debates.
Therefore, I decided to take a job at a private environmental assessment company. I thought that there I could investigate a wide range of organisms, and especially identify them, which I enjoyed.
Working people~
I joined an assessment company, but it was quite tough on me because I lacked physical stamina. It took a toll on my mental and physical health, and I ended up quitting soon after.
I was told that I would be in charge of plants and soil animals, and I thought I would encounter plants and animals I had never seen before. However, there was more blue-collar work than I had anticipated, and the amount of soil animal identification work was small throughout the year, which was different from what I had hoped for.
Furthermore, identification tasks were often outsourced, and employees were often unable to handle them.
However, I really wanted to do identification work, so I decided to become independent. I bought an optical microscope, a stereomicroscope, and all the necessary field guides, and asked my former boss to take on the identification work for me.
This is how I became a freelancer. Now I make a living by receiving requests from multiple companies. I believe that only a handful of people in Japan are able to handle this broad taxonomic group of soil animals.
Furthermore, when I decided to become independent, I also resolved to thoroughly disclose all of my past activities. Upon re-examining the records I had taken up to that point, I discovered that I had captured many previously unrecorded and unknown interactions in my photographs.
It was then that I finally realized the value of the photographs I had taken.
As a result, I was able to write more than 10 papers on various taxonomic groups in one year. Please take a look at the papers I have written.
I believe this was something no one else could imitate.
Current initiatives
Recently, I've finished writing my academic papers and am now focusing on writing articles that are "useful to others," not just on biology.
It might seem obvious, but during my student days, there was a period where I was completely focused on my own interests and only saw things from my own perspective.
However, I've also grown to be able to talk about other fields and hobbies in addition to my specialized knowledge, so I hope that it can be of help to someone!