Available data demonstrate that organic management of
rice paddy fields provides optimal foraging areas for birds and is beneficial to many endangered species of birds, such as the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), little egret (Egretta garzetta), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), purple heron (Ardea purpurea), purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides), black - winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and many others.
The
rice terraces are flooded from September to March, [and] the evaporation from these
paddies provides a cool and pleasant climate for local residents while the
fields provide a spectacular view for travelers.»