Areas of interest:

Animal Ecology, Conservation Restoration technique, Environmental Engineering, Environmental dynamic analysis.

Current projects:

1. Biodiversity in coastal lagoon environments.
2. Near shore ecology changes in Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi.
3. Carbon and nitrogen transportation through food webs in shores of Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi.
4. Changes in benthic community in estuarine ecosystem: effect of artificial modification.
5. Long-term changes in community in brackish water system of the Ohashi River connecting Lakes Shinji and Nakaumi.
6. Analysis of food web in estuarine ecosystem using stable isotope ratios.

Recent Publications:

• Kurata, K., Horinouchi, M. and Dettman, D.L., 2011. Spatial differences in stable isotope signatures of crustaceans in brackish lake systems, western Japan. In: Asakura, A. (ed.), New Frontiers in Crustacean Biology, Crustaceana Monographs Series 15, Brill, Leiden. pp.341-354.
• Takata, H., Seto, K., Kurata, K., Hiratsuka, J. and Khim, B.-K., 2010. Life history of Ammonia “beccarii” forma 1 on hard substrate in the Ohashi River, southwestern Japan. Fundamental and Applied Limnology, 178:81-88.
• Takata, H., Seto, K., Kurata, K. and Khim, B.-K., 2009. Distribution of living (stained) benthic foraminifera (Protista) in the Ohashi River, southwest Japan: a clue to recent faunal change in the Lake Shinji-Nakaumi system. Fundamental and Applied Limnology, 174:185-192.
• Takata, H., Dettman, D. L., Seto, K., Kurata, K., Hiratsuka, J. and Khim, B.-K., 2009. Novel habitat preference of Ammonia "beccarii" forma 1 in a macrobenthos community on hard substrates in the Ohashi River, southwest Japan. Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 39:87-96.
• Kurata, K. and Hiratsuka, J. (2009) Temporal and spatial changes of the bivalves Corbicula japonica and Musculista senhousia in the Ohashi River, western Japan, The 14th International Symposium on River and Lake Environments, 28-31 August 2009, Shinshu University, Ueda.
• Horinouchi, M., Kume, G., Yamaguchi, A., Toda, K. and Kurata, K., 2008. Food habits of small fishes in a common reed Phragmites australis belt in Lake Shinji, Shimane, Japan. Ichthyological Reseach, 55:207-217.
• Kurata, K. 2007. Rising water level events in the Ohashi River, Shimane Prefecture. Laguna 14:33-46. (in Japanese with English abstract)
• Kurata, K. and Rogers, K.M. 2005. Study on food web and pollution in tidal flat: utilization of stable isotope ratios and heavy metal concentrations. Aquabiology 27(4):331-336. (in Japanese with English abstract)
• Kurata, K., Kozuki, Y., Kitano, M., Otsuka, K. and Murakami, H., 2003. Influence of sea cucumber on sediment improvement in a closed aquatic environment. In: M. Munawar (Ed.). Sediment Quality Assessment and Management: Insight and Progress, Ecovision World Monograph Series, Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Society: 241-256.
• Kitano, M., Kurata, K., Kozuki, Y., Murakami, H., Yamasaki, T., Yoshida, H. and Sasayama, H., 2003. Effects of deposit feeder Stichopus japonicus on algal bloom and organic matter contents of bottom sediments of the enclosed sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 47: 118-125.
• Kurata, K., Minami, H. and Kikuchi, E., 2001. Stable isotope analysis of food sources for salt marsh snails. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 223: 167-177.
• Kurata, K. and Kikuchi, E., 2000. Comparisons of life-history traits and sexual dimorphism between Assiminea japonica and Angustassiminea castanea (Gastropoda: Assimineidae). Journal of Molluscan Studies, 66: 177-196.
• Kurata, K. and Kikuchi, E., 1999. Life cycle and production of Assiminea japonica v. Martens and Angustassiminea castanea (Westerlund) (Gastropoda: Assimineidae) at a reed marsh in Gamo lagoon, northern Japan. Ophelia, 50: 191-214.
• Kurata, K., 1999. Comparative Studies on the Ecology of Assimineid Snails Inhabiting Salt Marshes in the Nanakita River Estuary. Doctoral thesis, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University.
• Kurata, K., 1995. Population Dynamics of Assiminea japonica v. Martens and Angustassiminea castanea (Westerlund) (Mesogastropoda : Assimiheidae), in the Nanakita River Estuary. M.Sc. thesis, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University.