Rice ecosystem as a habitat of birds and its conservation

Abstract

To clarify the function of rice ecosystem as a habitat for birds, we organized previous studies conducted mainly in Japan. Rice fields provide foraging habitats for birds throughout the year. Few bird species complete their life history in rice fields alone, and thus habitat heterogeneity with the presence of grassland, forest, and other (semi-) natural environments support high diversity of bird species. The post-war intensification of agriculture deteriorated the habitat quality of rice ecosystem and had a serious impact on bird diversity. The vegetation succession following the fallow and abandonment of cultivated rice fields since the 1970s has significantly changed species composition of birds. It was suggested that various types of wildlife-friendly farming implemented in Japan, such as organic farming, winter flooding, and the installation of shallow ditches (Ye) and fishways, are useful to conserve bird species in rice ecosystem. The knowledge can be useful for members of Ecology and Civil Engineering Society for planning future conservation management of rice ecosystem.