Lower Kuzuryugawa (15155)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Lower Kuzuryugawa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.1833, Longitude: 136.1833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 69.72017
Protected area coverage (%): 3.27
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: 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.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |