JP104Lower Kuzuryugawa

Site Description

Wetlands

The Kuzuryugawa river is the longest river in Fukui Prefecture. Near the mouth of the river there are extensive reed beds and there are sparse wood forests. But, 70 % of the dry riverbed area within banks is occupied by paddy fields and farmlands. As the farmlands are at only about 1m above sea level, they turn to wetlands during winter, providing foraging and resting ground for swans and geese, and raptors also come. But as the paddy fields along the river are becoming well drained with the irrigation channels reformed into underground drains, favorable wetlands for these birds are narrowing. In the wet paddy fields near the mouth of the river, shorebirds rest during migration seasons in spring and autumn. Due to constructions of roads, dwelling houses and factories in the paddy fields area, the foraging ground for geese has been narrowed as compared to ten years ago, while the number of individuals coming to a certain foraging ground has significantly increased. The aridification of wet paddy fields as well as the adoption of double crop system coupled with decrease of re-sprouting due to autumn plowing, have also narrowed the foraging grounds for geese.

Area & Coordinates

7,500ha 36°11′N 136°11′E
region: Kohshinetsu Hokuriku

Category

A4i

Designation Type

Wildlife Protection Area (Local)

Protection Status

Unprotected

Conservation issues

• Industrialization/urbanization
• Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage