Benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity improved with irrigation ponds linked to a rice paddy field

Abstract

Traditionally, many irrigation ponds supplied water to paddy fields, but most of these ponds have disappeared through improvements in irrigation systems. The aim of this study was to assess the ecological functions (especially biodiversity conservation) of irrigation ponds by using benthic macroinvertebrates that inhabit paddy fields. This study was conducted in Hwaseong‐si, Yesan‐gun, Hongseong‐gun, Uljin‐gun and Damyang‐gun, Korea. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected using a quadrat sampler from August to September for three years (2010–2012) in paddy fields with and without an irrigation pond. In the comparisons between two paddy field types (paddy fields with and without an irrigation pond) for species richness and densities of benthic macroinvertebrates, the species richness and densities were higher in the paddy fields with a pond than in the paddy fields without a pond (P < 0.001). Biodiversity enhancement effect degree (BEED) of the irrigation pond showed positive values in all survey regions. There were no significant differences among the survey regions. BEED showed positive values in all taxonomic groups (excluding Crustacea) and were not significantly different among taxonomic groups. The BEED values for non‐insects, passive dispersers, were relatively higher than for insects, active dispersers. The results indicate that BEED is related to the dispersal abilities of each taxonomic group and an irrigation pond increases biodiversity in a paddy field in all regions. Therefore, the irrigation pond is one method that can be immediately applied in paddy fields in order to improve the biodiversity of agricultural ecosystems.

Influence of land consolidation on aquatic invertebrate communities and their distribution patterns in Korean rice fields

“…3). Choe et al (2016) suggested that the restoration of traditional irrigation ponds that have disappeared through improvements in irrigation systems is an effective method for maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity in the paddy ecosystem. However, aquatic invertebrate communities in non-land consolidated paddy fields were divided according to their geographical location, such as the eastern region (cluster IIa), western region (cluster IIb), and northern region (cluster IIc).…”

“…Other studies have also shown that land consolidation and modernization of irrigation system have destroyed the habitats of aquatic invertebrates such as small irrigation ponds and soil ditches, resulting in a decrease in diversity of aquatic invertebrates Kim et al 2012;Sato & Maruyama 1996;Azuma & Takeuchi 1999). Choe et al (2016) suggested that the restoration of traditional irrigation ponds that have disappeared through improvements in irrigation systems is an effective method for maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity in the paddy ecosystem.…”

Development of a Low-Cost Optical Sensor to Detect Eutrophication in Irrigation Reservoirs

“…The eutrophication of these ponds can be problematic for the ecosystems and human health. Different studies show that these ponds have an important effect on biodiversity, such as providing refuges for endangered species that live in freshwater bodies [4][5][6]. Biodiversity has essential advantages in human and agricultural environments.…”

Trait-based evaluation of plant assemblages in traditional farm ponds in Korea: Ecological and management implications

“…S1). A dumbeong enhances farm biodiversity by providing habitat for various organisms (Kim et al, 2011;Choe et al, 2013Choe et al, , 2016. However, with the adoption of mechanized irrigation and agricultural intensification practices, dumbeongs are coming into disuse (Huang et al, 2012).…”