Ecological surveillance of small mammals at Dagmar North Training Area,Gyeonggi Province,Republic of Korea, 2001–2005

A seasonal rodent‐borne disease surveillance program was established at Dagmar North Training Area located near the demilitarized zone, Republic of Korea, from 2001 through 2005. Selected habitats surveyed included earthen banks separating rice paddies, fighting positions along a 5 m rock‐faced earthen berm, and extensive tall grasses with various degrees of herbaceous and scrub vegetation associated with dirt roads, rice paddies, ditches, ponds, or the Imjin River. Of the nine species of small mammals captured, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), the primary reservoir for Hantaan virus, was the most frequently collected, representing 92.5% of the 1,848 small mammals captured. Males were captured similarly to females during the spring and summer seasons but were captured less frequently during the fall and winter seasons. Gravid rates were highest in the fall (25.5–57.3%) with the lowest rates during the summer (0.0–2.2%). Capture rates were the lowest along earthen banks separating rice paddies (5.5%) and highest in unmanaged tall grasses and crawling vegetation (15.3–43.5%). An increased knowledge of ecological factors that impact the abundance and distribution of small mammals and the associated ectoparasites and pathogens they harbor is critical for developing accurate disease risk assessments and mitigation strategies for preventing vector‐ and rodent‐borne diseases among soldiers training in field environments.     

Spatial and temporal variability of aquatic habitat use by amphibians in a hydrologically modified landscape

1. Habitat loss is a major driver of biodiversity decline worldwide. Temporary waterbodies are especially vulnerable because they are sensitive both to human impact and to climatic variations. Pond‐breeding amphibians are often dependent on temporary waterbodies for their reproduction, and hence are sensitive to loss of temporary ponds. 2. Here we present the results of a 5‐year study regarding the use of temporary aquatic habitats by amphibians in a hydrologically modified area of Eastern Europe (Romania). The annual number of aquatic habitats varied between 30 and ～120. Each aquatic habitat was characterised by a number of variables such as: ‘type’ (pond, drainage ditch and archaeological ditch), ‘hydroperiod’ (number of weeks the ponds were filled in a given year), ‘depth’ (cm), ‘area’ (m²) and the density of predatory insects (‘predation’). The turnover rate for each amphibian species for each wetland was calculated based on the pond occupancy. 3. Eight amphibian species were recorded from the aquatic habitats. Hydroperiod was the most important variable, positively influencing wetland use by amphibians and their reproductive success. Most species preferred drainage ditches for reproduction, and the reproductive success was highest in this habitat type every year. For most of the species, the local extinction rate was higher than the colonisation rate in the first 4 years, but the situation reversed in the last year of the study when wetland use by amphibians sharply increased because of high rainfall. 4. This study confirms the importance for amphibians of maintaining and managing aquatic habitat diversity at small spatial scales. Man‐made aquatic habitats such as drainage ditches may be important habitats for amphibians, and this should be considered in restoration activities.     

贺兰山西坡啮齿动物生境选择及种间关系

为明确对贺兰山西坡啮齿动物生境选择起关键作用的主要环境因子,探讨各鼠种之间的相互作用如何影响鼠种的生境选择,选取地理因子（海拔、坡度、坡向）、植被因子（植被盖度、植被高度、灌木/乔木高度）和其他因子（距水源距离、距道路距离、距灌木/乔木距离）等9种生境因子,利用资源选择函数模型和logistic回归模型对啮齿动物生境选择和种间关系进行分析。结果表明,在贺兰山西坡,捕获数量最多的6种啮齿动物对的生境选择存在差异,大林姬鼠（Apodemus peninsulae）偏好高海拔、多灌木（乔木）的生境;子午沙鼠（Meriones meridianus）偏好海拔较低的半荒漠稀疏生境,对道路和人为干扰不回避;灰仓鼠（Cricetulus migratorius）偏好距水源较远、多灌木（乔木）、距道路较近的生境;阿拉善黄鼠（Spermophilus alaschanicus）偏好低海拔、植被丰富的生境;短尾仓鼠（Cricetulus eversmanni）偏好高海拔、距道路较近的生境;社鼠（Niviventer niviventer）偏好海拔较高、坡度较大、距水源较远的生境。鼠种间的相互关系主要呈现回避或随机关系。研究结果有助于了解啮齿动物分布的变化及种群动态规律,可为贺兰山生物资源保护,区域性鼠害的预测、预报和综合治理提供基础资料和科学依据。     

The contribution of man-made ditches to the regional stream biodiversity of the new river watershed in the Florida panhandle

The role of ditches as reservoirs for or contributors to regional diversity has rarely been assessed. In this study, we aimed (1) to assess the effect of ditches on aquatic faunal assemblages of first order streams and (2) to assess the extent to which the animal communities in altered streams that are crossed by ditches resembled those found in nearby natural streams. We examined the fauna of four different aquatic habitats of the New River watershed in the Florida Panhandle: (1) natural streams, (2) altered streams, (3) ditches that cross the altered streams, and (4) ditches that do not cross the altered streams, sampling these habitats in three geographically distinct sites and visiting each location three times during a summer. Ditches did not have the same environmental features as streams and as a result their faunal community did not completely mimic those of natural streams. Streams contained 50% less aquatic vegetation and more canopy cover, while natural streams were more acidic than any other habitat. The connected altered stream and ditch habitats contained the highest biodiversity, while natural streams contained the lowest. Our ordination of taxonomic composition did not reveal any significant differences between habitats. However, natural streams were more likely to contain Hyalella spp., Oligochaetes, and Palaemonetes spp. than other sites, yet did not contain Baetidae spp., Naucorida spp., Trepobate spp., Dolomedes okefinokensis, Leptolucania ommata, or any Centrarcids. These results indicate the importance of ditches within this system as a reservoir for and contributor to regional stream biodiversity and this finding should be taken into consideration by managers for the conservation of the regional freshwater biodiversity.     

The impact of roadside ditches on juvenile and sub-adult Bufo melanostictus migration

The amphibian species play an important role in much ecosystem functioning. However, it is severely impacted by civil engineering, which causes a high level of amphibian mortality. This is partly because roads isolate the amphibians’ habitats, causing the amphibians to cross them, during which time they can be killed by vehicles. However, secondly, roadside ditches can also have a fatal impact on the amphibians when they fall into them. This study focuses on this second issue and comprises two parts: field experiments and control experiments in the laboratory. In the field experiments, research into the roadside ditch impact on juvenile/sub-adult Bufo melanostictus migration was carried out by looking at different combinations of the ditch's angle, construction material and depth, and amount of plant growth. In the control experiments in the laboratory, the main focus of the study was the relationship between the body length of the juvenile/sub-adult Bufo melanostictus and its maximum jumping distance and jumping height, and the maximum gradient that Bufo melanostictus could climb.This research indicates that amphibian migration should be taken into account when roadside ditches are being planned. Civil engineering should consider the needs of the amphibians’ living space and thereby reduce its impact on the amphibians’ original habitat, so that human beings live in harmony with nature.     

Contribution of different aquatic habitats to adult Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) production in a rice agroecosystem in Mwea, Kenya

Studies were conducted to determine the contribution of diverse larval habitats to adult Anopheles arabiensis Patton and Culex quinquefasciatus Say production in a rice land agro-ecosystem in Mwea, Kenya. Two sizes of cages were placed in different habitat types to investigate the influence of non-mosquito invertebrates on larval mortalities and the contribution of each habitat type to mosquito productivities, respectively. These emergence traps had fine netting material covers to prevent adult mosquitoes from ovipositing in the area covered by the trap and immature mosquitoes from entering the cages. The emergence of Anopheles arabiensis in seeps, tire tracks, temporary pools, and paddies was 10.53%, 17.31%, 12.50%, and 2.14%, respectively, while the corresponding values for Cx. quinquefasciatus were 16.85% in tire tracks, 8.39% in temporary pools, and 5.65% in the paddies from 0.125 m3 cages during the study. Cages measuring 1 m3 were placed in different habitat types which included paddy, swamp, marsh, ditch, pool, and seep to determine larval habitat productivity. An. arabiensis was the predominant anopheline species (98.0%, n = 232), although a few Anopheles coustani Laveran (2.0%, n = 5) emerged from the habitats. The productivity for An. arabiensis larvae was 6.0 mosquitoes per m2 for the temporary pools, 5.5 for paddy, 5.4 for marsh, 2.7 for ditch, and 0.6 for seep. The Cx. quinquefasciatus larval habitat productivity was 47.8 mosquitoes per m2 for paddies, 35.7 for ditches, 11.1 for marshes, 4.2 for seeps, 2.4 for swamps, and 1.0 for temporary pools. Pools, paddy, and marsh habitat types were the most productive larval habitats for An. arabiensis while paddy, ditch, and marsh were the most productive larval habitats for Cx. quinquefasciatus. The most common non-mosquito invertebrate composition in the cages included Dytiscidae, Notonectidae, Belostomatidae, and Ephemerellidae, and their presence negatively affected the number of emergent mosquitoes from the cages. In conclusion, freshly formed habitats are the most productive aquatic habitats, while old and more permanent habitats are the least productive due to natural regulation of mosquito immatures.     

Connectivity and propagule sources composition drive ditch plant metacommunity structure

The fragmentation of agricultural landscapes has a major impact on biodiversity. In addition to habitat loss, dispersal limitation increasingly appears as a significant driver of biodiversity decline. Landscape linear elements, like ditches, may reduce the negative impacts of fragmentation by enhancing connectivity for many organisms, in addition to providing refuge habitats. To characterize these effects, we investigated the respective roles of propagule source composition and connectivity at the landscape scale on hydrochorous and non-hydrochorous ditch bank plant metacommunities. Twenty-seven square sites (0.5 km² each) were selected in an agricultural lowland of northern France. At each site, plant communities were sampled on nine ditch banks (totaling 243 ditches). Variables characterizing propagule sources composition and connectivity were calculated for landscape mosaic and ditch network models. The landscape mosaic influenced only non-hydrochorous species, while the ditch network impacted both hydrochorous and non-hydrochorous species. Non-hydrochorous metacommunities were dependent on a large set of land-use elements, either within the landscape mosaic or adjacent to the ditch network, whereas hydrochorous plant metacommunities were only impacted by the presence of ditches adjacent to crops and roads. Ditch network connectivity also influenced both hydrochorous and non-hydrochorous ditch bank plant metacommunity structure, suggesting that beyond favoring hydrochory, ditches may also enhance plant dispersal by acting on other dispersal vectors. Increasing propagule sources heterogeneity and connectivity appeared to decrease within-metacommunity similarity within landscapes. Altogether, our results suggest that the ditch network's composition and configuration impacts plant metacommunity structure by affecting propagule dispersal possibilities, with contrasted consequences depending on species' dispersal vectors.     

The role of emergent vegetation in structuring aquatic insect communities in peatland drainage ditches

Availability of macrophyte habitat is recognized as an important driver of aquatic insect communities in peatland drainage ditches; however, eutrophication can lead to the decline of submerged vegetation. While emergent vegetation is able to persist in eutrophicated ditches, vegetation removal, carried out during ditch maintenance, can reduce the availability of this habitat. In this study, we applied the landscape filtering approach to determine whether the absence of emergent vegetation is a habitat filter which structures aquatic insect communities in peatland drainage ditches under different trophic conditions. To this end, a field study was carried out in one mesotrophic (Naardermeer) and one eutrophic (Wormer and Jisperveld) peatland in the province of North Holland, The Netherlands. We assigned life history strategies to insect species and applied linear mixed models and redundancy analyses to taxonomic and functional aquatic insect community data. Our results indicate that while differences between peatlands primarily determine the species pool within each wetland, emergent vegetation acted as a secondary filter by structuring functional community composition within ditches. The eutrophic peatland was dominated by insects adapted to abiotic extremes, while species with good dispersal abilities were strongly related to emergent vegetation cover. This study demonstrates the applicability of life history strategies to provide insight into the filtering of species due to availability of emergent macrophyte habitat. To ensure greater diversity of insect communities in ditch habitats, it is recommended that some vegetation be spared during maintenance to leave patches from which insect recolonization can occur.     

Ditches as species‐rich secondary habitats and refuge for meadow species in agricultural marsh grasslands

Questions

Can drainage ditches in agricultural marsh grassland provide a suitable habitat for the persistence of fen meadow species? How does the ditch margin vegetation develop as a function of regular dredging? Is ornithologically oriented management also beneficial for plant biodiversity?

Location

Riparian marshes, Eider‐Treene‐Sorge lowland, Schleswig‐Holstein, Germany.

Methods

We performed vegetation surveys of drainage ditches along with their water body, slope and margin structures annually for 3 years. The data were analysed with respect to date and means of ditch dredging. In addition, we recorded vegetation of the surrounding agricultural grassland, measured nutrient status of the soil and the water body and sampled seed bank of the ditch slopes. We used ANOVA and multivariate methods to describe the development of the ditch vegetation and the persistence of target meadow species.

Results

Vegetation re‐development of ditch margins proceeds quite rapidly after disturbance from dredging. Dominance of mudbank species was observed only in the first year, followed by an increase of reed species and reduction of phytodiversity. Target species of wet meadow communities reach highest abundance in the second and third year and build a significant seed bank before being suppressed by reeds.

Conclusions

In heavily eutrophicated, intensively used marsh grassland, regularly disturbed ditch margins are important secondary habitats for pioneer and subdominant wetland species, which have nearly disappeared in a larger area. Current management cycles of ditch dredging every 3–4 years comply with the successional development, allowing the mudbank and wet meadow species to persist in the vegetation and seed bank. In contrast to the frequency, the form of dredging (ditch profile), which is crucial for bird protection, plays a minor role for plants. We recommend moderate disturbance (mowing of ditch margins) to suppress strong competitors in the years between dredging for additional support to target plant species.     

Patterns of bird abundance and habitat use in rice fields of the Kanto Plain, central Japan

Rice fields, the most widespread cropland in Japan, provide important habitat for birds, but few studies have examined bird communities that are influenced by agriculture in rice fields. I studied the seasonal pattern of bird abundance and their habitat preferences in terms of agricultural habitats in the rice fields of the central Kanto Plain, central Japan. In total, 19 waterbird species and 31 landbird species were recorded over the study year. Waterbird occurrence was largely restricted to the cultivation season (i.e. the flooded season, May–August), with maximum abundance in August. Rice fields dried up during winter and supported few waterbirds except for irregular occurrences of little egrets (Egretta garzetta) and common snipes (Gallinago gallinago), which selectively used ditches with shallow water. Landbird abundance increased after the start of cultivation (May) to August, but more birds were attracted to the rice fields in midwinter (around January). For both waterbirds and landbirds, most species preferred levees and fallow grass fields, but avoided fields with rice vegetation. Unplowed fields after harvest were preferred by several species including skylarks (Alauda arvensis), while plowed fields were less attractive to most species. These results suggest the need for advanced agricultural practices to include improvement in habitat quality for birds.     

The impact of changing irrigation practices in rice fields on frog populations of the Kanto Plain, central Japan

Rice fields are important substitute wetlands for frogs. Traditionally, rice fields in Japan were supplied with water and drained via shallow earth ditches (old-style). In the last 30 years, however, more than 80% of rice fields have been converted to a new irrigation system in which water is typically supplied through underground pipes via taps and is drained into deep, concrete-sided ditches (new-style). We compared the occurrence of frogs in paired areas of old- and new-style rice fields at six locations in Ibaraki Pref., central Japan, from May to August 1995. The Japanese tree frog (Hyla japonica) did not differ in abundance between the two types of rice fields, but the Japanese brown frog (Rana japonica) and the Tokyo daruma pond frog (Rana porosa porosa) preferred the old-style rice fields. These findings suggest that the status ofRana species has been adversely affected by the conversion of rice fields to the new irrigation system. Modification of the deep, U-shaped concrete ditches and the water management regime during the spawning season is needed to safeguard these species.     

生境异质度对稻田捕食性天敌及水稻害虫的生态调节有效性

【目的】探索生境高异质度对稻田捕食性天敌及水稻害虫的生态调节有效性,了解这种策略是否会引起其他植食性昆虫成为水稻重要害虫的风险。【方法】2017-2018年连续2年种植单季稻,在稻田边缘种植花生与大豆,构建高异质性边缘生境稻田(rice paddy with high heterogeneous marginal habitats, HHR),调查HHR稻田与简单低异质性边缘生境稻田(rice paddy with low heterogeneous marginal habitats, LHR)中捕食性天敌与水稻害虫功能团的发生规律与相关性,计算益害比。【结果】2017年在HHR稻田中采集到捕食性天敌40种,1 667头;在LHR稻田中采集到捕食性天敌30种,991头。2018年在HHR稻田中采集到捕食性天敌33种,1 384头;在LHR稻田中采集到捕食性天敌34种,1 031头。HHR与LHR两类稻田中获得的捕食性天敌群落重要值P_i≥0.01的物种相似度很高,优势种相似。2017年HHR稻田的捕食性天敌物种丰富度明显高于LHR稻田,这种差异主要由群落重要值P_i<0.01的种类引起。2018年两类稻田的捕食性天敌物种丰富度没有差异。单位样方面积内的捕食性天敌个体数量,HHR中明显高于LHR,这种差异在2017年的分蘖期与成熟期达显著水平(P<0.05),在2018年的开花期极显著(P<0.01)。2017年在HHR中采集到水稻害虫22种,637头;在LHR中采集到水稻害虫19种,743头;物种相似性系数0.88。2018年在HHR中采集到水稻害虫16种,1 011头;在LHR中采集到水稻害虫16种,2 014头;物种相似性系数0.75;主要害虫物种组成结构相同。水稻害虫数量发生的时间动态分析表明,在分蘖期,虽然HHR稻田中的水稻害虫数量明显高于LHR(P<0.05),但此期害虫的数量不多,发生较轻。在孕穗期、开花期与成熟期,HHR稻田中的水稻害虫数量明显低于LHR稻田,这种差异在2017年的成熟期与2018年的孕穗期极显著(P<0.01),在2018年的成熟期差异显著(P<0.05)。2017年HHR和LHR中个体数量益害比N_pi值分别为2.62和1.33;2018年分别为1.37和0.51。【结论】具有高异质性边缘生境的稻田,能提高系统对捕食性天敌物种的涵养潜力,显著提高稻田捕食性天敌个体数量,提高益害比,具有更好的控制害虫的物质基础,促进捕食性天敌对水稻害虫的生态控制效能,不会引起其他植食性昆虫演变为水稻重要害虫风险,可为保护稻田生态系统天敌发挥生态效能提供可借鉴的策略与方法。     

Negative effects of deep roadside ditches on Pelophylax porosa brevipoda dispersal and migration in comparison with Hyla japonica in a rice paddy area in Japan

In Japan, rice paddies have acted as a substitute habitat for pond-breeding frogs. However, since the 1950s, agricultural modernization has altered the rice paddy environment, and pond-breeding frog populations have been decreasing. This agricultural modernization has led to rice paddy fragmentation via roadways and the construction of deep channels. To assess the influences of habitat fragmentation, we compared the distribution of two pond-breeding frogs, a common species, Hyla japonica, and an endangered species, Pelophylax porosa brevipoda, around a deep roadside ditch. In Shiga prefecture, we selected two rice paddies along a roadway and recorded the number of frogs and their snout-vent length (SVL) at the levee of a rice paddy, ditch, bank, and adjacent roadway. In total, we identified 1,293 P. p. brevipoda and 181 H. japonica. Most P. p. brevipoda were either at the levee or ditch, and the number of this species found in the ditch was much higher than in any other location in July and October. The SVLs of P. p. brevipoda found in the ditch in June were smaller than those in October. Most H. japonica were at the levee or bank, and there were no apparent temporal or spatial patterns of distribution. Our results suggest that the ditch acts as a barrier to juveniles in early summer and to all frogs during autumn for P. p. brevipoda but not for H. japonica. For long-term conservation, it is important to study the movement patterns related to life history and rice paddy management.     

农田景观和管理方式对稻田系统植物多样性的复合影响

农田生物多样性对于维持农田生态系统服务功能和农业可持续发展具有重要意义.为揭示农田景观特征和管理方式对农田生态系统植物群落和物种多样性的影响,以有机稻田(ON)、常规化防稻田(天然林脚下,CN)、常规化防稻田(距天然林>10km,CF)系统为研究对象,调查了田内、田埂和沟渠生境的植物物种组成和多样性特征,并对三种类型稻...     

Age,growth and habitat use of the topmouth gudgeon,Pseudorasbora parva in irrigation ditches on northwestern Kyushu Island,Japan

In Japan, Pseudorasbora parva has not been negatively affected by artificial changes in its habitat. Ecological traits of the species may explain this easy adaptation to artificial habitats. An ecological investigation of P. parva inhabiting irrigation ditches was conducted monthly for approximately two years on northwestern Kyushu Island, Japan. Measurements of 1927 individuals revealed two size classes, maturation age (1 year), and lifespan (1–2 years). Results of this study and previous studies show that the species exhibits life history plasticity. In addition, habitat use of ditches indicates that abundances correlated positively with water temperature and negatively with current velocity in the crop‐growing season, and positively with water depth and negatively with current velocity in the fallow season. Structural factors such as ditch revetment conditions and aquatic macrophyte cover were unimportant for this species. The study shows that the gudgeon adapts to artificial ditches easily and successfully because of both life history plasticity and wide‐scale use of the habitat.     

The nature value of the ditch vegetation in peat areas in relation to farm management

Farmers can play an important role in enhancing the diversity of plant species in ditches, since they carry out most of the management. Little is known about the measures farmers can take to enhance aquatic biodiversity in ditches. Therefore, a field study was set up to determine how dredging, ditch cleaning, and nutrient supply in the adjacent fields affect the floristic values of the ditch vegetation in peat areas. A total of 240 ditches on 84 dairy farms were selected, to establish the effect of ditch cleaning, dredging, and nutrient supply. Generalised linear modelling was used to determine the most relevant factors, and to obtain quantitative relations between those factors and two indices of floristic value. Ditch management, field management, and water management were found to affect the floristic values of the ditch vegetation. Increasing the water depth proved to be the most cost-effective measure. Further improvements can be obtained by choosing certain machines or specific management periods, or reducing the N supply. The effect of the P supply is not yet sufficiently clear. The water boards can enhance floristic values by raising the ditch water table and by lowering the Cl^– concentration in the ditches.     

Microtopography and the Properties of Residual Peat Are Convenient Indicators for Restoration Planning of Abandoned Extracted Peatlands

The natural recovery of vegetation on abandoned peat extraction areas lasts for decades and the result of restoration succession can be unpredictable. The aim of the study was to specify environmental factors that affect the formation of the pioneer stages of mire communities and, therefore, be helpful in the prediction of the resulting ecosystem properties. We used the national inventory data from 64 milled peatlands in Estonia, distributed over the region of 300 × 200 km. This is the first national‐scale statistical evaluation of abandoned extracted peatlands. During surveys, vascular plants, bryophytes, and residual peat properties were recorded on three microtopographic forms: flats, ditch margins, and ditches. The microtopography was the main factor distinguishing the composition of plant communities on flats and ditches, while ditch margins resembled flats. The extracted indicator species suggested two successional pathways, toward fen or raised bog community. A single indicator trait—the depth of residual peat, which combines the information about peat properties (e.g. pH, ash content, and trophicity status), predicted the plant community succession in microtopographic habitats. We suggest that peatland management plans about the cost‐efficient restoration of abandoned peat mining areas should consider properties of residual peat layer as the baseline indicator: milled peatfields with thin (<2.3 m) and well‐decomposed residual peat should be restored toward fen vegetation types, whereas sites with thick (>2.3 m) and less decomposed residual peat layer should be restored toward transitional mires or raised bogs. Specific methodological suggestions are provided .     

河套灌区六排域植物物种多样性研究

为了研究河套灌区六排域植物物种多样性。于2010 年8-9月进行调查, 以排沟等级为原则, 在干沟、支沟、斗沟或农沟的上、中、下游设置调查断面, 每断面沿沟道垂直剖面从沟底到边坡共设置0.5 m 0.5 m的草本样方101个、边坡设置5 m 5 m的灌木样方22个, 调查样方内的植物种类和数量。研究结果表明, 河套灌区六排域植物由22个科, 41个属, 43个种组成; 其中禾本科、菊科和豆科植物所占比重最大; 植物群落主要以芦苇为主的草本组成型; 干沟、支沟和斗/农沟的多样性指数、优势度指数、丰富度和均匀度指数值分别为0.79、0.37、3.20和0.55, 0.90、0.54、4.37和0.62, 0.89、0.53、4.25和0.63。随着排沟等级的降低, 多样性指数值随之增加; 边坡较沟底有明显较高的物种多样性。       

Secondary Succession and Natural Habitat Restoration in Abandoned Rice Fields of Central Korea

Floristic composition and soil characteristics (moisture, pH, nutrient contents) in abandoned upland rice paddies of different ages were analyzed to clarify the regenerative aspects of succession as a tool for habitat restoration. The study sites represented five seral stages: newly abandoned paddy fields; successional paddy fields abandoned for 3, 7, and 10 years; and a 50‐year‐old Alnus japonica forest. A vegetation sere was apparent in changes of dominant plant species in the order Alopecurus aequalis var. amurensis (annual grass), Aneilema keisak (annual forb), Juncus effusus var. decipiens (rush), Salix koriyanagi (willow), and Alnus japonica (alder) communities. These temporal stages resemble the spatial zonation of vegetation in local riparian floodplain ecosystems, indicating a hydrosere, with soil moisture decreasing over time. Age distributions and life forms of the dominant plant species support a “tolerance” model of secondary succession, in which the established species persist into later successional stages. Persistence of earlier colonizers led to a net cumulative increase in species richness and a more even distribution of species cover with increasing field age. Between 10 and 50 years, vegetation stabilizes as an alder community. Soil moisture content decreased steadily with paddy field age after an initial rise immediately after their abandonment, whereas pools of organic matter, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, increased with field age. The pace and direction of recovery of native vegetation and natural soil properties in these abandoned rice paddies resembled classic old field succession, a form of secondary succession that often serves as a template for guiding restoration efforts. Active intervention, in particular dismantling artificial levees, could accelerate the recovery process, but natural habitat recovery generally appears sufficiently robust to achieve “passive” restoration of this rare community without intervention.