Kyushu University converts abandoned rice fields to wetlands in Fukuoka

In the narrow watershed of Asakura, a rural city in Fukuoka Prefecture, centuries‑old stone channels still direct water through rice paddies and into the local river. These historic irrigation structures, long a hallmark of the region’s agricultural heritage, are now the focus of a new research initiative by Kyushu University’s Watershed Systems Engineering Laboratory. The laboratory is studying how to repurpose abandoned rice fields into functional wetlands and forested habitats while preserving the traditional stone channel network.

The project aims to demonstrate that the existing stone channels can support ecological restoration without compromising water flow. By converting idle paddies into wetlands, researchers anticipate enhanced biodiversity, improved water quality, and increased resilience against flooding. The laboratory’s work also seeks to provide a model for balancing cultural heritage with modern environmental objectives in other rural watersheds across Japan.

If successful, the initiative could offer a replicable framework for restoring degraded agricultural landscapes while maintaining historic irrigation infrastructure. The effort underscores a broader trend of integrating traditional water management practices with contemporary conservation strategies, potentially benefiting both local ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.