Effects of the Co-culture of Rice and Aquatic Animals on Soil Eco-system: A Review
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Abstract
The co-culture of rice and aquatic animals mode (CRAA) not only maintains the yield of rice crops, but also brings about higher income for the farmers and a win-win outcome for both agriculture and aquaculture. Meanwhile, CRAAs can have significant impacts on the ecosystem of paddy fields. This paper reviews the most recent findings in regards to the effects of various CRAAs such as rice-fish, rice-crayfish, rice-crab, rice-turtle and rice-duck on soil physical-chemical properties, soil animals, soil microorganisms, and paddy field ecosystem services. Our review suggests that CRAA reduces soil bulk density, improves soil porosity, soil aggregate stability and soil fertility. In addition, it changes the abundance and community structure of soil animals, increases the number and activity of soil microorganisms and adjusts the composition and diversity of the microbial communities. Moreover, CRAA promotes the cultural service functions of paddy ecosystem. Nevertheless, CRAA may aggravate the soil gleization and cause the accumulation of heavy metals and pollutants in soil. The impacts of CRAA on the food supply and greenhouse gas emissions from paddy field soils remain controversy. We should further clarify the long-term effects of CRAA on soil physical, chemical and biological properties, discuss the differences in soil material, energy and information flow processes, soil ecosystem services and their mechanisms under different CRAA modes. In addition, the key technologies aiming to apply CRAA in agriculture should be further integrated and extended in the futureto achieve sustainable development of agriculture.
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