Do Fallow Field Biotopes Function as Habitats for Aquatic Insects Similar to Rice Paddy Fields and Irrigation Ponds?

Abstract

In Japan, abandonment of rice fields has rapidly increased, resulting in biodiversity loss. Fallow field biotopes are attractive measures for compensating wetland species habitats in paddy environments. However, effective management practices of fallow field biotopes for biodiversity conservation are largely unknown, especially for lentic aquatic insects (Odonata, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera). We conducted field experiments in abandoned rice terraces in western Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan. We plowed and flooded nine abandoned paddy fields and divided them into three types: paddy fields, biotopes, and mixed fields. We also surveyed irrigation ponds. To assess the function of the four habitat types, we examined how species richness, abundance, and community composition of aquatic insects differed among habitat types. Aquatic insect assemblages in biotopes differed from paddy fields and ponds and resembled that in a mixed field. The effects of environmental factors on the abundance and species richness of aquatic insects differ according to their order or life stages. The abundance of aquatic insects increased with surface area. The abundance of Odonata nymphs increased with water depth, whereas that of Hemiptera nymphs and Coleoptera larvae decreased. The abundance of Odonata nymphs and Hemiptera adults increased with increasing vegetation cover, whereas the species richness of aquatic insects decreased. Thus, it is important to prevent high vegetation cover by plowing and create a water depth gradient for creating habitats for multiple taxa. We suggest that creating or maintaining mosaic habitats, including paddy fields, biotopes, and ponds could enhance aquatic insect diversity in abandoned rice terraces.