Fujimae Tidal Flat Is a Rich Repository for Many Creatures Near the Large City of Nagoya
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The Fujimae Tidal Flat is a rich repository for many creatures near the large city of Nagoya. What can we do to protect the tidal flat? Let’s visit the sanctuary and think about the ways. Fujimae Tidal Flat Ramsar Convention Convention on Biological Diversity In 1971, the Convention on Wetlands of International Along with plants, animals and other diverse A Stopover Site of Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat creatures, we are all part of the global ecosystem. (popularly known as the “Ramsar Convention”) was These creatures support our lives in different ways adopted in the city of Ramsar, Iran, on the Caspian and give us many benefits in the form of food, lumber, Global Importance Sea. Japan became a party to the convention in and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, however, we 1980. As of March 31, 2008, 33 wetlands in Japan have been witnessing an unprecedented rate of loss — including Fujimae Tidal Flat — had been of biodiversity. registered as Ramsar sites. The Convention on Biological Diversity was Welcome to Fujimae Tidal Flat. The Ramsar Convention calls for development adopted in 1992 not simply to protect creatures of of a framework for promoting protection and specific regions or particular species, but to Wonder at the migratory birds and revitalization of wetlands as well as contributing to conserve all biological diversity and ensure the the creatures of the tidal flat that nourish them. their sustainable use. It also considers wetlands sustainable use of its components and the fair and not simply as habitats for water birds but also as equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the Experience all the natural wonders of important ecosystems that underpin our living utilization of genetic resources. environment. (Under the convention, this concept is In 2010, the 10th meeting of the CBD the tidal flat with your senses. referred to as “wise use.”) Conference of the Parties (COP10) will be held in Fujimae Tidal Flat was registered during the Nagoya. This event will provide an opportunity for Ramsar COP8 in Valencia, Spain in 2002. considering the creatures in the local environment Under the Ramsar Convention, all wetlands in and the chain of life. the mountains or along the coasts are considered critical, whether or not they have been registered. The registration of the Fujimae Tidal Flat is not an end in itself; it is a means of restoring the once-rich natural environment extending from Ise Bay to the forest at the riverhead. To Nagoya Shonai River Access to Fujimae Tidal Flat Shinkawa River Inae Visitor Center, Nagoya Wild Bird National Route 23 Observation Center Inaei Nanyo-cho Fujimae ¡From the Aonami Line: 10 minutes’ walk from Noseki Station. Bus Station or Fujimae Park ¡From the Meiko Subway Line: 10 minutes’ walk from Nikko River Tsukijiguchi Station. Shin-Nanyo Inae Park Incineration Plant Inae-higashi You can also board a city bus bound for Noseki at Nagoya Park Station or Kanayama Station. Inae Sports Center Fujimae Tidal Flat (Ramsar site) Aonami Line Fujimae Active Center Fujimae Active Center Noseki Fujimae Tidal Flat Bus Station From Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya Station) To Yokkaichi Noseki Station Nagoya Wild Bird ¡Mie Kotsu Bus: Board a Mie Kotsu Bus bound for Sunbeach Observation Center Nikkogawa, Nagashima Onsen, or Minami-kuwana. Fujimae Tidal Flat (Ramsar site) Disembark at Nanyo-cho Fujimae and walk south along Inae Visitor Center To Kinjo-futo Fujimae Park for 10 minutes. Issued by: Ecological City Promotion Division, Environmental Affairs Bureau, City of Nagoya 1-1, Sannomaru 3-chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-8508 Tel: +81-(0)52-972-2661 Fax: +81-(0)52-972-4134 Planned by: Save Fujimae Association 29-1-211, 1-chome, Fukiage-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-0002 Tel/Fax: +81-(0)52-735-0106 Printed on recycled paper. Fujimae Tidal Flat: A Resting Site for Migratory Birds ¡How can we identify the flyways of migratory birds? ¡How are wetlands protected In 2002, Fujimae Tidal Flat was registered as a Ramsar wetland site of under Japanese law? international importance that attracts numerous migratory birds. Shorebird Flyways in East Asia and Australia ¡Let’s consider the common A widely diverse array of the world’s migratory bird species — including features and differences shorebirds such as dunlin, Eurasian curlew, and grey plover — can be observed at Fujimae Tidal Flat. The number of shorebirds observed here between the Geelong Wetlands peaks in spring and again in autumn. Notably, a great number of little tern and Fujimae Tidal Flat. visit here in summer, while large flocks of greater scaup, northern pintail and Breeding other species of duck visit the tidal flat in winter. In addition to the migratory birds that visit in different seasons are many ground other species that can be observed on Fujimae Tidal Flat throughout the year, including the great cormorant, spot-billed duck, and osprey. Migratory birds that frequent Birds observed year-round Fujimae Tidal Flat and its environs at Fujimae Tidal Flat and its environs Fujimae Tidal Flat ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Dunlin ¡ Eurasian Curlew ¡ Grey Plover StopoverStopover Great Cormorant Spot-billed Duck Osprey This small snipe is common in Fujimae Renowned for migrating long distances, These migrating plovers use Fujimae Ti- These birds nest in mountainous These freshwater ducks can be These medium-sized hawks prey on Tidal Flat. The species is well known these large snipes can be recognized dal Flat as a stopover site. Their plumage areas and feed along rivers and on observed in Japan year-round. Males fish. They appear whitish in flight for flying in flocks of several hundred. by their characteristic long beaks. changes from summer to winter; the pho- the sea. Flocks of cormorant feed and females have identical coloring. and can often be seen perched on to above shows summer plumage. by pursuing schools of fish. This species can be recognized by driftwood. its yellow-tipped beak. Wetland Protection Agreement Nagoya and Geelong In 2007, the City of Nagoya concluded the Wetland Protection Agreement with the City of Greater Geelong, Australia. Geelong is located in southeastern Australia, and many of its wetlands — including Swan Bay — are ¡ Northern Pintail ¡ Little Tern ¡ Greater Scaup These freshwater ducks are recognizable These seagulls arrive on the tidal flat in These sea ducks can be recognized by registered as Ramsar sites. The wetlands in Geelong by their long tail feathers. The coloring summer. They can frequently be seen their black and white feathers. These and the Fujimae Tidal Flat are on the same flyway. of male and female ducks differs; the diving into the water to catch fish. birds of prey feed on clams and other above photo shows the male. creatures. For this reason, birds that winter in Geelong can be found at Fujimae Tidal Flat in spring. The map at right shows the seasonal flyways of shorebirds. Some species migrate to Siberia and Alaska in summer, while others migrate to Southeast Asia and Australia in winter. These flyways were identified only recently. Wintering In the course of their long journey, the birds use wetlands — such as ground Fujimae Tidal Flat — as stopover sites to rest and regain their strength. City of Greater Migratory birds need all the wetlands on their flyways for survival. The Geelong The Geelong Wetland on Lake Connewarre The following website shows live images of the Fujimae Tidal Flat and Geelong Wetlands. Ramsar Convention is intended to preserve the wetlands through Nagoya City Kankyo Joho Net (in Japanese only) http://www.kankyo-net.city.nagoya.jp/ international cooperation. 1 2 The Tidal Flat Ecosystem ¡Let’s consider our relationship with the tidal flat. ¡Let’s study how household One important function of a tidal flat is to clean the water. Here, the wastewater is treated. creatures on the tidal flat play a crucial role. Creatures on the Tidal Flat: ¡Let’s discover ways of Food Chain and Water Purification Function measuring the water purifi- cation capacity of the tidal The river water that flows into the flat. Fujimae Tidal Flat contains a large Human activity volume of nutrients from the forests as well as impurities (organic substances) from rice paddies, farms People and surrounding urban areas. Birds Wastewater Organic substances Fish ¡ Diatom ¡ Lugworm ¡ Rivulogammarus This phytoplankton develops in the Nourished by organic substances in These crustaceans measure only a water or on the surface of the tidal flats. the mud, lugworms are preyed on by few millimeters in length. Countless numbers of these creatures inhabit It is one of the organisms that constitute fish, birds, and many other creatures. the surface of the tidal flats, where In the tidal flat, living organisms the bottom of the food pyramid. they primarily nourish small birds. Stopover ¡ ¡ ¡ purify water through ¡¡¡ Bacteria the cycle of the food chain. Japanese mud shrimp Plankton Prawns and shrimps ¡ Japanese Mud Crab ¡ Japanese Corbiculae ¡ Japanese Mud Shrimp Large snipes are fond of this species These large corbiculae inhabit brackish These shrimp dig holes more than two of crab, which is well adapted to the water. This is a common clam species meters deep in the mud of the tidal Clams tidal flat environment. on the Fujimae Tidal Flat, as littleneck flat. They filter and feed on organic clams do not inhabit the tidal flat. substances in the water. Crab ¡¡¡ Lugworms Tidal flats with a well-functioning food chain — as characterized by various creatures living in a relationship of both predator and prey — help Phytoplankton feed on organic substances, which in turn leads to development of large to maintain the water quality. Fujimae Tidal Flat is visited by large amounts of zooplankton. The zooplankton numbers of birds because it is home to creatures in sufficient numbers to nourish the lugworms, crab, and corbiculae in feed these birds.