The significance of water bodies along the Chitose River flood plain as green infrastructure and the relationship between vegetation succession and waterfowl abundance

Abstract

I investigated the abundance of geese and cranes at wetlands along the Chitose River flood plain, considering the extent of open water areas. Water bodies serve as stopover sites for migratory White-fronted Goose Auser albifrons, but reductions in open water areas negatively affected waterfowl abundance. The same wetlands also served as breeding habitat and stopover sites for Red-crowned Crane Grus japanensis, including while molting. By creating wetlands and managing them effectively in "zones that make use of nature" in each wetland area, it is thought that the Chitose River flood plain can be used more wisely as green infrastructure that preserves biodiversity.