Updated on 2026/04/28

写真a

 
KADOWAKI KOMEI
 
Organization
Graduate School of Sustainable System Sciences Division of Sustainable System Sciences Associate Professor
College of Sustainable System Sciences Department of Environmental and Social Systems
Title
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Institute of Sustainable System Sciences

Position

  • Graduate School of Sustainable System Sciences Division of Sustainable System Sciences 

    Associate Professor  2026.04 - Now

  • College of Sustainable System Sciences Department of Environmental and Social Systems 

    Associate Professor  2026.04 - Now

Degree

  • PhD （ Others ）

Research Areas

  • Life Science / Ecology and environment

  • Life Science / Forest science

Research Interests

  • community ecology

  • biodiversity

  • forest ecology

Professional Memberships

  • THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN

  • THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Committee Memberships (off-campus)

  • Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution   Associate Editor  

    2025.08 - Now 

  • 日本生態学会   大会運営改革特別委員会（タスクフォース）  

    2025.04 - Now 

  • 日本生態学会   大会企画委員長  

    2025.04 - 2026.03 

  • 文部科学省 科学技術・学術政策研究所   専門調査員  

    2024.04 - Now 

  • 日本生態学会   日本生態学会賞選考委員  

    2023.08 - 2026.03 

Awards

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Job Career (off-campus)

  • Nara Women's University   Part-time lecturer

    2024.09 - 2025.03

  • Ritsumeikan University   College of International Relations   Part-time Lecturer

    2022.04 - Now

  • Kyoto University   Graduate School of Agriculture   Affiliated Associate Professor

    2021.01 - 2026.03

  • Kyoto University   The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research   Associate Professor

    2021.01 - 2026.03

  • Ryukoku University   Part-time Lecturer

    2018.04 - Now

  • Kyoto University   Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences

    2018.04 - 2025.03

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Papers

  • The coordination between root and leaf functional traits across 33 woody plant species shifts between mycorrhizal types Reviewed International coauthorship

    Katsumi C Suzuki, Hirofumi Kajino, Shusaku Hirokawa, Hajime Tomimatsu, Kohmei Kadowaki, Kouki Hikosaka

    Tree Physiology   2025.12（ eISSN:1758-4469 ）

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    Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

    Abstract

    Root and leaf traits are expected to converge on the plant economics spectrum (PES). Some studies have focused on correlation between specific root length (SRL) and specific leaf area (SLA), which reflect resource acquisition per invested mass in root and leaf, respectively. However, the results have been inconsistent among previous studies. We hypothesized that this discrepancy was due to overlooked variations in root traits depending on mycorrhizal types because SRL can be influenced by not only PES but also mycorrhizal types. To assess how mycorrhizal type inherently mediates the coordination of root and leaf traits, we determined the leaf and root traits of current-year seedlings of 33 species encompassing different leaf habits and mycorrhizal types, AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) and ECM (ectomycorrhizal) species, grown under a common condition. Root and leaf traits correlated with the first axis of the principal component analysis, and this axis represented PES. Root diameter (RD) also correlated with the second axis, which differed between mycorrhizal types. SRL and SLA were correlated positively to each other, but ECM species had higher SRL than AM species when compared at the same SLA. This was because (1) SRL is negatively related to root tissue density (RTD) and RD, (2) RTD was negatively correlated with SLA, and (3) RD was smaller in ECM. Leaf and root traits are tightly coordinated with each other across species, but the relationship shifts between the mycorrhizal types.

    DOI： 10.1093/treephys/tpaf151

  • シカの食害の影響は土壌微生物に波及する Invited Reviewed International coauthorship

    門脇浩明

    地球環境   30 ( 1 )   63 - 70   2025.06（ ISSN:1342-226X ）

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    Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   International / domestic magazine：Domestic journal  

  • Oak Wilt Disease May Reduce the Initial Decay Rate of Dead Quercus serrata Stems by Altering Fungal Communities in the Wood Invited Reviewed

    Yu Fukasawa, Satsuki Kimura, Yuji Kominami, Masahiro Takagi, Kimiyo Matsukura, Kobayashi Makoto, Satoshi N. Suzuki, Shuhei Takemoto, Nobuaki Tanaka, Mayuko Jomura, Kohmei Kadowaki, Masayuki Ushio, Haruo Kinuura, Satoshi Yamashita

    Environmental Microbiology   27 ( 1 )   e70026 - e70026   2025.01

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    Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

    DOI： 10.1111/1462-2920.70026

  • Survivability and life support in sealed mini-ecosystems with simulated planetary soils Invited Reviewed International coauthorship

    Tsubasa Sato, Ko Abe, Jun Koseki, Mayumi Seto, Jun Yokoyama, Tomohiro Akashi, Masahiro Terada, Kohmei Kadowaki, Satoshi Yoshida, Yosuke Alexandre Yamashiki, Teppei Shimamura

    Scientific Reports   14 ( 1 )   2024.11（ eISSN:2045-2322 ）

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    Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

    DOI： 10.1038/s41598-024-75328-x

    Other URL： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-75328-x

  • A primer of community ecology using the R language Invited Reviewed International coauthorship

    Kohmei Kadowaki

    Population Ecology   67 ( 1 )   15 - 31   2024.10（ ISSN:1438-3896 ） （ eISSN:1438-390X ）

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    Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

    Abstract

    Community ecology beginners often struggle to understand theories expressed in complex mathematical formulas and to master computer programming. To remedy this situation, this article provides a practical, R‐based introduction to community ecology by illustrating core concepts (vital rates, carrying capacity, density dependence) and models that can be used to explore the patterns of species abundance and diversity. The structure of this article consists of three modeling exercises, each asking a general question that can be answered by a combination of theory and R programming: (1) what determines the abundance of species, and what makes a population persist and go extinct?; (2) what determines the distribution of species and species diversity?; (3) what determines the relative abundance of species and what allows species to coexist? Through the exercises, I discuss the following five concepts and ideas that provide valuable insights into the questions: (i) the tragedy of the commons, (ii) the theory of island biogeography, (iii) competitive exclusion, (iv) the neutral theory of biodiversity, and (v) frequency dependence. These materials are thus designed to guide the reader in developing an intuition for ecological thinking that will help capture the essence of the global environmental and biodiversity crisis. Although this article does not delineate the scope and depth of the vast field of community ecology, I hope that it will motivate the reader to step up to a more formal introduction to community ecology.

    DOI： 10.1002/1438-390x.12202

  • Plant–mycorrhizal associations may explain the latitudinal gradient of plant community assembly Invited Reviewed International coauthorship

    Naoto Shinohara, Yuta Kobayashi, Keita Nishizawa, Kohmei Kadowaki, Akira Yamawo

    Oikos   2024 ( 6 )   2024.02（ ISSN:0030-1299 ） （ eISSN:1600-0706 ）

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    Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

    Biogeographical variation in community assembly processes forms the basis of the latitudinal gradient of biodiversity by driving β‐diversity. Classical studies on community assembly predict environmental filtering affecting β‐diversity more strongly at higher latitudes, where productivity is lower and abiotic stress is stronger. Contrary to this prediction, recent evidence indicates that plant community composition at higher latitudes exhibits more spatially clustered distributions independently of background environments, suggesting the importance of spatial processes, such as priority effects. In this study, we propose a hypothesis that resolves this paradox by considering plant–soil feedback and biogeographic variations in the dominant mycorrhizal type: we predict that the increasing prevalence of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) trees with latitude contributes to the spatially clustered distribution of plants, as EcM trees tend to exhibit positive plant–soil feedback. We analyzed a large‐scale standardized dataset of Japanese forests covering a latitudinal gradient of >10° and found that 1) the proportion of EcM trees was higher at higher latitudes, and 2) EcM tree‐rich communities exhibited more spatially clustered distributions likely due to positive plant–soil feedback. Consequently, 3) tree species composition at higher latitudes was better explained by spatial variables suggesting the importance of priority effects. Consistent with the predictions of the plant–soil feedback theory, these patterns were more pronounced in understory than in canopy communities. Taken together, our results lend support to our hypothesis that biogeographic variation in tree community assembly patterns is defined by mycorrhizal types and plant–soil feedback, thereby resolving a paradox in the latitudinal gradient of plant community assembly. Our work highlights that plant mycorrhizal type underlies the determinants of β‐diversity which is a critical component of the latitudinal gradient of diversity.

    DOI： 10.1111/oik.10367

  • Forest tree community ecology and plant–soil feedback: Theory and evidence Invited Reviewed International coauthorship

    Kohmei Kadowaki

    Ecological Research   39 ( 3 )   257 - 272   2024.01（ ISSN:0912-3814 ） （ eISSN:1440-1703 ）

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    Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

    Abstract

    Mounting evidence suggests that reciprocal interactions between plants and the soil microbiota can be a primary force that generates key macroscopic patterns of plant communities (coexistence, dominance, and succession) in forest ecosystems. The aim of this article is to review empirical and theoretical perspectives of plant–soil feedback research in the context of forest community ecology. I first use a simple theoretical model to get insights into an array of the dynamics generated by plant–soil feedback: negative plant–soil feedback maintains plant species diversity and reduces plant growth, while positive plant–soil feedback drives plant growth of certain species and hence their dominance. I then describe how ecologists have unveiled the enormously complex plant‐microbiota interaction (i.e., the soil conditioning experiment) and review the linkage of plant–soil feedback with three key plant community patterns: (i) dominance, (ii) spatial structure and (iii) succession. I highlight one belowground plant trait (mycorrhizal type) that can mediate these linkages: arbuscular mycorrhizal species tend to exhibit negative plant–soil feedback while ectomycorrhizal species tend to exhibit positive plant–soil feedback. Although mycorrhizal plant–soil feedback potentially explains the patterns of tree diversity from local to global scales, many questions remain. Future studies should expand plant–soil feedback theory to incorporate numerous other feedback mechanisms and test how mycorrhizal types mediate the net feedback effects that could propagate to shape large‐scale forest structures and dynamics.

    DOI： 10.1111/1440-1703.12445

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Books and Other Publications

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MISC

Presentations

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Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research

  • 植物土壌微生物フィードバックが駆動する樹木多様性の緯度勾配

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(A)  2026.04

  • 菌根による生態系レジームの再構築

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(A)  2025.04

  • 平行的な都市進化が駆動する植物ー土壌相互作用と生物的抵抗性への波及効果

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(A)  2024.04

  • シカ食害が招く森林衰退:植物土壌フィードバックに着目して 研究課題

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)  2021.04

  • 生物群集における共進化過程に着目した生態系復元の実証研究

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)  2019.04

  • 遺伝子・多様性・循環の科学：生態学の領域融合へ

    Grant-in-Aid for Publication of Scientific Research Results / Scientific Literature  2019.04

  • アカマツの菌根菌群集における多種共生系維持機構に関する実験的研究

    Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists  2017.04

  • 外来きのこ定着が進行するニュージーランド森林における菌根共生環境因子の解明

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)  2015.04

  • メタ個体群における協力関係の進化・維持機構の実験的解析

    Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists(B)  2014.04

  • 土壌共生菌がつくりだす森林の多様性：移入操作実験と最先端分子同定技術の融合

    Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows  2013.04

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Charge of on-campus class subject

  • 環境生物学

    2026   Weekly class   Undergraduate

  • PBL演習（環境再生）

    2026   Weekly class   Undergraduate

  • 環境社会システム学演習3

    2026   Weekly class   Undergraduate

  • 環境社会システム学演習2

    2026   Weekly class   Undergraduate

  • 環境生態学特論

    2026   Weekly class   Undergraduate

  • 陸域環境再生学

    2026   Weekly class   Undergraduate

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Charge of off-campus class subject

  • Evolution of life

    2026.04
    -
    Now
    Institution：Ryukoku University

  • Special Lecture in Environmental Sciences B

    2024.09
    -
    2025.03
    Institution：Nara Women's University

  • Practice in Tropical Forest Environments 1

    2023.04
    -
    2026.03
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • Seminar In Tropical Forest Environment 1

    2023.04
    -
    2026.03
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • Seminar in Tropical Forest Environments 2

    2023.04
    -
    2026.03
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • Practice in Tropical Forest Environments 2

    2023.04
    -
    2026.03
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • ILAS seminar Introduction to Community Ecology

    2022.04
    -
    2026.03
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • Practice in University Forests I

    2021.08
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • Introduction to Natural Science

    2018.04
    -
    Now

  • 民族の自然誌

    2018.04
    -
    Now
    Institution：Ryukoku University

  • 生物学実習

    2018.04
    -
    2025.03
    Institution：Kyoto University

  • ゲノム実習（霊長類学・ワイルドライフサイエンス）

    2014
    Institution：Kyoto University

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Social Activities　⇒ Link to the list of Social Activities

  • Mycorrhizal networks: a hidden player that shapes forest ecosystems

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Lecture

    Department of Forest Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University  2025.11

    　More details

    Audience： High school students,　General public

  • 子どもの知的好奇心をくすぐる体験授業：植物の多様性のひみつに迫る！

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Visiting lecture

    京都府教育委員会  京都府立向陽高校  2025.10

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    Audience： High school students

  • 植物と土壌微生物の相互作用からみる森林の成立機構

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Lecture

    公益社団法人 日本技術士会 森林部会  東京都  2025.09

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    Audience： General public

  • Synergy between Cutting-Edge Research and Liberal Arts Education: Environmental Education Research on Plant-Soil Interactions as a Model Case

    Role(s)： Report author

    Type： Promotional material

    Kyoto University  Kyoto University Sustainability Report  2025.09

  • 講義：群集生態学

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Lecture

    生田グローバル株式会社 南京農業大学 団体研修旅行 芝蘭会館別館  2025.08

  • 森林生態系を支える菌根菌ネットワーク

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Lecture

    NPO法人 樹木研究会こうべ  神戸市  2025.07

  • きんりん キノコ探検隊 吉田山へ行く！

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Visiting lecture

    京都市立錦林小学校PTAほか  京都市  2025.07

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    Audience： Schoolchildren,　General public

  • Envisioning diversity and sustainability through one seed

    Role(s)： Guest,　Media coverage

    Type： Promotional material

    Kyoto University  2024.10

  • 講義：群集生態学

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    生田グローバル株式会社 南京農業大学 団体研修旅行 芝蘭会館別館  2024.08

  • ひらめき⭐︎ときめきサイエンス：植物の多様性のひみつに迫る〜知られざる土壌微生物の役割〜

    Role(s)： Lecturer,　Planner

    2024.08

  • 子どもの知的好奇心をくすぐる体験授業：植物の多様性のひみつに迫る！

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Visiting lecture

    京都府教育委員会  京都府立洛北高等学校附属中学校  2023.11

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    Audience： Junior high school students

  • Tree Doctor Workshop

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Seminar, workshop

    2023.10

    　More details

    Audience： Researchesrs,　General public,　Scientific organization

  • Science Window: Mycorrhizal fungi networks supporting forest ecosystems [Treasures under the ground].

    Role(s)： Guest,　Media coverage,　Official expert

    Type： Internet

    Japan Science and Technology Agency  Science Portal  2023.06

  • 植物の多様性のひみつに迫る ～知られざる土壌微生物の役割～

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    NHK文化センター京都教室  世界の“不思議”に迫る！京大「白眉」研究者たち  2022.11

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    Audience： General public

  • 協生農法 x 群集生態学 〜個を超えた集団の力〜

    Role(s)： Guest

    Type： Lecture

    学校法人 翔英学園 はぐくむセンター  2022.11

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    Audience： Junior high school students,　High school students,　Teachers,　Parents/Guardians,　General public

  • 地球は「キノコ」に操られている！？生き物も天気も・・・衝撃の事実がわかってきた

    Role(s)： Official expert

    Type： TV or radio program

    NHK Eテレ  サイエンスZERO  2022.09

  • Preface: Interview with Prof. Shigefumi Mori, Director of Kyoto University's Institute for Advanced Studies

    Role(s)： Interviewer

    Type： Promotional material

    The Hakubi Center Newsletter Vol. 19  2021.09

  • 森の未来は菌だけが知っている－森はどのように成立ち、変化していくのか－

    Role(s)： Lecturer

    Type： Lecture

    The Kyoto University Museum  Lecture Series no.152  2019.04

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    Audience： High school students,　General public

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Media Coverage

  • Nurturing Forest Diversity: The Network of Trees and Soil Microorganisms Internet

    GLOBERIDE, Inc.  GLOBERIDE Features Compass  2026.02

  • Treasures Beneath the Ground: CHAPTER 03 The Mycorrhizal Network Supporting Forest Ecosystems Promotional material

    Science Portal Editing Team  Science Window  2024

  • 「拡張生態系」の役割、対談、発表し理解 米子北斗中と専門研究者フォーラム Newspaper, magazine

    日本海新聞社  日本海新聞  2022.11

  • 遺伝子・多様性・循環の科学…門脇浩明、立木佑弥編 Newspaper, magazine

    読売新聞社  読売新聞  書評  2019.06

  • 樹木多様性 菌が守る 京大チーム「ミニ森林」実験で解明 Newspaper, magazine

    読売新聞社  読売新聞  2019.02

  • 「菌根菌」働きで森林変化 シイ、コナラ増える一端解明 京大など 共生種、土壌つくりかえ Newspaper, magazine

    京都新聞社  京都新聞  2018.12

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Visiting Lectures　⇒ Link to the list of Visiting Lectures

  • 植物の多様性のひみつに迫る！〜知られざる土壌微生物の役割〜

    Category：Science (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, biochemistry),　Agricultural science (applied biology, biofunctional chemistry, green space environmental science)

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    Audience：Schoolchildren,　Junior high school students,　High school students,　College students

Academic Activities

  • Meeting with AAAS／Science Editor-in-Chief

    Role(s)： Panel moderator, session chair, etc.

    Kyoto University Future Commons  2025.03

  • 菌根共生からみた進化群集生態学

    Role(s)： Planning, management, etc.,　Panel moderator, session chair, etc.

    門脇浩明（助成：中辻創智社）  （ 京都大学白眉センター ） 2023.11

    　More details

    Type：Academic society, research group, etc. 

  • Forest Ecosystem Function Colloquium (FEFCO)

    Role(s)： Planning, management, etc.,　Panel moderator, session chair, etc.

    2021.04 - 2026.03

    　More details

    Type：Academic society, research group, etc. 

  • Bioblitz (24時間耐久生物多様性調査)

    Role(s)： Planning/Implementing academic research

    Landcare Research, New Zealand  2008.03

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    Type：Academic research