Abstract
In this article, we examined the value of the traditional Japanese flood control measure that uses a discontinuous levee (kasumitei). By avoiding the use of flood-prone lowlands for inhabitation and allowing floodwater movement through the kasumitei, the cost of building damage can be reduced, and water supply to wetlands can be increased. The purpose of our study was to quantify flood damage cost reductions and the potential gains for wetland species as part of an ecosystem-based disaster reduction initiative. The study was conducted in the Amano River basin in central Japan. First, we applied a drainage model and calculated the flood damage cost reduction in the floodplain from an evaluation of inundation depth differences. As part of an analysis of potential wetness, we identified areas where 1 m of flooding was predicted in rice paddies near kasumitei. We also quantified a topographic wetness index, the ratio of lowlands, and the ratio of poorly drained soil types, all of which would be beneficial to wetland species. We also investigated land-use change in the area and the relevant financial support framework. The results showed that a simulated closed levee system causes greater inundation and exposure to residents, and the value of paddy areas near kasumitei was calculated to be 43,830 JPY/1000 m2/year at the maximum. Even though the paddies tend to be poorly drained, these areas have been continuously used as paddies for the past century even under development pressure. The economic value and habitat potential of kasumitei levee systems have not been considered as part of any previous flood-management policies. We propose these existing flood control areas to be considered in the financial support framework in the context of river basin and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction management.
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Source: Scale 1:200,000, based on the Comprehensive Soil Classification System of Japan (National Agricultural Research Organization (2020))
Source: Digital National Land Information (GSI 2015)
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Acknowledgements
We are deeply grateful to Shiga Prefecture for providing us valuable data. We also thank officials from Maibara City for participating in interviews. Our gratitude also goes also to Dr. Tomohiro Deguchi, Dr. Yuki Akiyama, Ms. Emi Miyachi and Dr. Shiro Sagawa for engaging in helpful discussions. Financial support from the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN: a member of NIHU, Project No. 14200103) and the JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant Number 20231513) are gratefully acknowledged. This study was supported by the Joint Research Program No. 952 at CSIS, the University of Tokyo and we used the following data : Zmap-TOWN II by ZENRIN Co., LTD.
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Yamada, Y., Taki, K., Yoshida, T. et al. An economic value for ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction using paddy fields in the kasumitei open levee system. Paddy Water Environ 20, 215–226 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-021-00885-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-021-00885-0