Spatial and temporal patterns of waterbird communities and impact of landscape features at multi-scale in rice fields of the Korean Peninsula

Context Rice paddies are considered important habitats for waterbirds because they offer abundant food resources and serve as stopover sites, breeding grounds, and wintering sites depending on spatial and temporal changes. Although rice paddies have been studied extensively as key habitats for waterbirds, research linking waterbird assemblages in rice paddies with multi-scale landscape factors remains insufficient. Objectives To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of waterbirds that use rice paddies in the central-western region of Korea and the relationships between these distribution patterns and multi-scale landscape factors. Methods This study was conducted in rice paddy regions located in the central-western part of Korea. Data were collected from 40 rice paddy plots surveyed for waterbirds from January to December, 2017 and then analyzed. Self-organizing map was used to classify the waterbird assemblages, and random forest analysis was employed to evaluate the relationship between each assemblage and multi-scale landscape factors. Results Cluster analysis revealed four distinct seasonal assemblages of waterbirds, reflecting clear temporal shifts in community composition throughout the year. Furthermore, the importance of multi-scale landscape factors varied depending on the spatial scale, indicating that identical landscape features can exert various effects on waterbirds depending on the ecological context and season. Conclusions The study findings provide foundational data for developing practical waterbird conservation strategies in rice paddy ecosystems, highlighting the significance of ecological management based on multi-scale and seasonal landscape considerations.