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<p>Labor shortages caused by aging farmers and rural depopulation have accelerated the adoption of automated irrigation systems in rice cultivation. However, their ecological impacts on paddy field ecosystems remain insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the effects of automated water supply devices on fish migration and habitat use in rice paddies. Field surveys were conducted in four paddies, two equipped with automated devices and two under conventional irrigation management. Fish migration was monitored using inlet traps and in-field traps, and water level and temperature were continuously recorded. The results showed that paddies equipped with automated water supply devices had higher frequencies of water intake, resulting in a significant increase in the number of migrating fish compared to conventionally irrigated paddies (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). In particular, the abundance of <i>Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</i> increased markedly, and evidence of reproduction within the paddies indicated enhanced utilization of these habitats. In contrast, the number and diversity of riverine fish species, including <i>Oncorhynchus masou masou</i>, <i>Gymnogobius castaneus</i> and <i>Lefua echigonia</i>, also increased, suggesting unintended ecological impacts associated with enhanced connectivity. These findings demonstrate that automated water supply devices can promote fish migration and potentially enhance the population of certain species, while simultaneously introducing non-target riverine species into paddy ecosystems. Therefore, careful management of water intake systems is required to balance agricultural efficiency with the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.</p>

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Effects of automated irrigation systems on fish migration and habitat in rice paddy fields

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Hiroshi Jinguji,
  • Masato Hemmi,
  • Yosuke Kubota,
  • Moono Shin,
  • Masaki Suzuki

摘要

Labor shortages caused by aging farmers and rural depopulation have accelerated the adoption of automated irrigation systems in rice cultivation. However, their ecological impacts on paddy field ecosystems remain insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the effects of automated water supply devices on fish migration and habitat use in rice paddies. Field surveys were conducted in four paddies, two equipped with automated devices and two under conventional irrigation management. Fish migration was monitored using inlet traps and in-field traps, and water level and temperature were continuously recorded. The results showed that paddies equipped with automated water supply devices had higher frequencies of water intake, resulting in a significant increase in the number of migrating fish compared to conventionally irrigated paddies (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P < 0.05). In particular, the abundance of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus increased markedly, and evidence of reproduction within the paddies indicated enhanced utilization of these habitats. In contrast, the number and diversity of riverine fish species, including Oncorhynchus masou masou, Gymnogobius castaneus and Lefua echigonia, also increased, suggesting unintended ecological impacts associated with enhanced connectivity. These findings demonstrate that automated water supply devices can promote fish migration and potentially enhance the population of certain species, while simultaneously introducing non-target riverine species into paddy ecosystems. Therefore, careful management of water intake systems is required to balance agricultural efficiency with the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.