Hyung-Kyu Nam

Distribution of Waterbirds in Rice Fields and Their Use of Foraging Habitats

Abstract. Over the course of a year, rice fields display spatial and temporal differences according to farming management practices, providing a succession of habitats throughout the crop-growing cycle for various waterbird species. However, few studies have assessed the influence of the spatial and temporal differences produced by rice field farming management practices on waterbird species during a year. The present study investigated spatial and temporal patterns of species distribution and examined the factors that affect waterbird selection of foraging habitats in the rice fields located in the midwestern part of South Korea from April 2009 to March 2010 and from April 2011 to March 2012. Waterbird species represented strong seasonality and selectively used different field types at a fine spatial scale. The selection of field type depended more on field structures that were related to the vulnerability of prey items than on prey abundance in rice fields. Water level was an important factor that affected shorebird selection of foraging habitat, and they chose habitats with different water levels according to their body size. The density of rice plants was a critical factor affecting the selection of habitats by herons, because densely planted fields inhibited their access to food. The presence of rolled straw in rice fields affected the distribution of waterfowl. These results demonstrate that farming management practices, which determine prey accessibility, strongly affect the use of rice field habitats by waterbirds. Our knowledge of these relationships should be incorporated into conservation practices protecting the various waterbird species that use rice fields.

Patterns of Waterbirds Abundance and Habitat Use in Rice Fields

BACKGROUND: As natural wetlands are decreased by increment of human demand, the importance of rice fields as an alternative habitat for waterbirds is well documented. However, the relationship between waterbirds use and management practice of rice fields has not been fully understood. The present study attempted to understand the changes in temporal abundance of waterbirds and their preference for habitat types in rice fields all year round. METHODS AND RESULTS: Waterbirds census were conducted in rice fields around Asan bay in Korea during April 2009-March 2010 and April 2011-March 2012. In the bird counts, the locations of the observed birds on a 1/2,500 map were recorded along with the local habitat type (paddy, ditch, levee, road). Thirty five species of waterbirds recorded in the rice fields during the survey period and three major groups (shorebirds, herons, and waterfowls) were characterized according to season and micro-habitat use. Shorebirds visited a flooded paddy for feeding during their spring migration season (April-May), and herons used the rice field as feeding sites during their breeding periods (April-October). Most waterfowls were observed in a dry paddy to feed a fallen rice seed and stubs during the winter season (September-March). Waterbird groups selectively used micro-habitats in rice field. Shorebirds and waterfowls mainly preferred at rice paddies, while herons were attracted to most habitat types. CONCLUSION(S): Rice fields supported various waterbirds all year round and waterbird communities using the rice fields were dramatically changed according to seasonal change of rice field condition.

Characteristics of Population Dynamics and Habitat Use of Shorebirds in Rice Fields during Spring Migration

Received: 30 October 2014 / Revised: 24 November 2014 / Accepted: 3 December 2014 Copyright c 2014 The Korean Society of Environmental Agriculture This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Status of Birds using Rice Fields in Mid-western Part of Korean Peninsula

BACKGROUND: Rice fields are one of the most important habitats for various bird species. The list of bird species occurred in rice fields in Korean peninsula have been documented. However, information of listed bird species is included not only rice fields but also other wetland habitats such as lakes, tidal flats and rivers. Therefore, the study was conducted to clarify the status of bird observed in rice fields of Korea.METHODS AND RESULTS: Birds using rice fields defined as birds which forage or rest on rice paddies, levees, ditches and farming roads. Birds using rice fields recorded as total 124 species belonging to 40 families. Anatidae and Scolopacidae were the best represented family, followed by Ardeidae, Accipitridae, Motacillidae and Emberizidae; 50% of species belonged to these six families. 18 of 124 endangered wild species, which designated threatened at the national scale, found in this study regions.CONCLUSION: Despite interest in birds using rice fields of Korean peninsula, knowledge of birds and rice fields there is extremely limited. We need more studies to understand and conserve for birds in rice fields of Korea.

Patterning Waterbird Assemblages on Rice Fields Using Self-Organizing Map and Random Forest

Received: 29 April 2015 / Revised: 11 July 201 / Accepted: 10 August 2015 Copyright c 2015 The Korean Society of Environmental Agriculture This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Influence of Foraging Behaviors of Shorebirds on Habitat use in Rice Fields During Spring Migration

Received: 10 July 2015 / Revised: 10 September 2015/ Accepted: 20 September 2015 Copyright c 2015 The Korean Society of Environmental Agriculture This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.