A study on the role of habitats of a tidal land reclamation area for winter migrants in Korea. (Special Issue: Sustainable water and land management in tidal areas.)

摘要

This study has been carried out to evaluate the habitat role for migratory birds in a tidal reclamation area in comparison with a river estuary in Korea. It also includes the contribution effect of the contract on the optional Choice of Paddy Field Management (CPFM) program to sustain biodiversity of winter migrants in Korea. The CPFM program has been practiced to attract winter migratory birds in cooperation with the farmers who spread rice straw, cultivate barley and provide shallow flooding paddy during the winter season in various reclaimed areas. The study result shows that a large number of winter migratory birds visited the tidal reclamation areas and the reason given is that wave intrusion was prevented by the sea dike and water level changes in the lake are less than tidal level changes in the estuary, as well as the irrigated paddy field supply of food and shelter for the birds in the reclaimed area. In the tidal reclamation area, the dominant species are waterfowl such as geese and ducks, while waders, shore birds and other small birds have declined after reclamation in the area, as the freshwater lakes are rather deeper than coastal shorelines to attract them. In conclusion, tidal areas with large paddy fields and freshwater lakes have allowed not only an increase in food production but also have attracted winter migrants supported by farmers and government; however, more effort will be needed to provide habitats for rare and distinctive birds in the reclamation area.