Institution of Biological and Ecological Research IndralaIBER Indrala is a multi-part series highlighting the diverse wildlife and ecosystems found on the island of IndralaChen LuoyangThe Rice Basket: Rivers and Fields of IndralaIndrala is home to huge swathes of farmland, yet these fields and the rivers that feed them hold life of their ownTerraced rice paddies, a common sight throughout Indrala, especially in the hills of Southeastern AnleDespite the high amount of wilderness converted for agricultural use in Indrala's long history, life has found ways to adapt, even thrive in these conditions. Some species have made the fields and villages their homes, even working hand in hand with humans, while others have learned to make do on the outskirts; however, quite a few species have been pushed out of these areas and currently face threats to their survival.
One of the most common sights in rice paddies across the island isn't farmers, but birds. Waterfowl and wading birds flock to the water drenched fields that the rice plant needs to grow. Here, they can often feast on frogs, or even fish, that are similarly attracted by what essentially simulates a marsh ecosystem. The Indralan egret once used to number among the hundreds to thousands around certain villages but has become increasingly scarce in the modern era. Part of this is due to a trend in folklore, which in the past two centuries has shifted from seeing egrets as a source of good luck to a bad omen signaling disease and death. This new found belief has led to the destruction of many Indralan egret nests causing a dramatic decline in their population.
A protected flock of Indralan egrets takes off from a rice paddyAn auspicious species of bird, which has managed to keep its favourability, actually makes its home within Indralan villages, sometimes even inside houses. That bird is the house swallow. It is seen by many Indralan villagers as a sign of good fortune, a plentiful harvest, and coming romance. This fact has created many villages that actually time their crop growth based on the bird's migration schedule, keeping windows and doors open to allow the swallows to nest inside. One village in Jiaozhi believes so much in the luck of the swallows that they renamed their village Yanwo: "swallow's nest". The structures found throughout the village have actually been quite beneficial to swallow nesting, while nearby agricultural fields have also benefited the birds, providing nest material and food sources in the form of insects.
There are a number of other lucky birds in Indralan culture, and one of the most famous is the Guofei duck. Among Indralans popular belief holds that the Guofei duck is monogamous and will never find another mate after their first, making them symbols of true love throughout Indrala. However, contrary to this belief, Guofei ducks are only monogamous during a single breeding season, and will happily find other mates for the next. They are also famous for their brilliant plumage, which shines on male members and holds a number of colors across its body, such as a purple breast and green crest. Besides Indrala, the Guofei duck can be seen on the continent of Dovani as far North as Sekowo. More recently, their range has expanded to Dankuk after nobles brought them back from Indrala as ornamental pets.
A male Guofei duck swims around a waterway in Northern IndralaThe Indralan water buffalo is a subspecies of the larger Dovani water buffalo that was introduced by Gao-showan migrants who had used it as a beast of burden. Over time, the Indralan subspecies has gradually diminished in size, in order to better survive in an island habitat. Indralan farmers have continued to use the water buffalo to this day, especially in rural, mountainous areas, where they can be helpful for plowing, hauling, and even milk production, as many areas consider buffalo milk to be a delicacy. There; however, also wild members of the species who were either released or escaped on their own merit. They have generally adapted to have a bulkier build, with a larger set of horns in order to scare away predators that domestic buffalo don't have to deal with.
A man plows his field with help from two domesticated Indralan water buffaloRivers irrigate a large portion of Indrala's farmland, thus providing important sources of life to people; however, they also play important roles in providing habitats for species along their banks and under the surface. One of the most ecologically and economically important rivers in Indrala is the Ma-Gan River which flows from Southern Anle into a nutrient-rich delta along the coast. This river provides refuge for tens, possibly hundreds, of endangered species, yet their value is often put aside for farmers and fishermen to increase profit.
The great cormorant is a species that can be found domesticated an wild across Indrala, much like the water buffalo; however, the ancient craft of cormorant fishing is centered along the Ma-Gan. In this process, a string is tied around a cormorant's neck, preventing it from eating any fish it might catch and the cormorant is released into the water to find fish. Since most of these birds have been trained since birth, they return to their owner with a caught fish and in return receive a treat of their own. Such fishing is done at night when lanterns atop the fishermen's bamboo boats can attract greater numbers of fish. Despite its former prevalence, this style of fishing has been dying out, replaced by commercial fishing which can catch hundreds of fish at the rate that one cormorant fisher can get one.
A group of fishermen fish with cormorants in the northern reaches of the Ma-Gan riverSome of Indrala's rarest creatures are found in the Ma-Gan river, including the elusive Ma-Gan river dolphin. This species is endemic to the river and has faced many problems over the past few centuries. In fact, until about a century ago the Ma-Gan river dolphin was believed to be virtually extinct in the wild. It wasn't until a pod of about 5 dolphins was discovered that stringent protections were put into place in the areas of the river they inhabited. Since that time 3 other pods have been found, and the wild population is estimated to be only around 50, leaving it extremely endangered species. Thankfully, due to stringent pollution laws and system of reserves across the Ma-Gan this dolphin species will be able to slowly recover.
A Ma-Gan river dolphin leaps out of the water at the Tiebei dolphin reserve in the Ma-Gan river deltaReptile species are also often sensitive to environmental changes, and along the Ma-Gan no reptile has felt this more than the Indralan alligator. The Indralan alligator is another species endemic to the Ma-Gan river and is one of the smallest known crocodilians in Terra at about 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in length. Once revered as a living symbol of the dragon, the population of Indralan alligators has greatly decreased, mostly due to land conversion for agriculture along the Ma-Gan; however, more recent captive breeding programs have reversed the trend and the living dragon is on its way to recovery.
The Ma-Gan softshell turtle is also facing extinction. This turtle species has long been consumed by locals who view its flesh as a delicacy, due to this often unlawful hunting, the Ma-Gan softshell turtle is critically endangered with less than 10 known wild turtles, which when combined with 5 in captivity reaches a grand total of 15. Despite these troubles, the species is actually the world's largest freshwater turtle with an average length of 100centmeters (39 inches) and can even lay up to 80 eggs per batch. It is unknown if the species can be revived due to its current numbers.
A pair of young Indralan alligators sits waiting for their mother to return to the nestGreat amounts of change have come across Indrala's fertile river valleys and agricultural areas, and animal populations have change with it. And despite previous dips in many the number of many species, stringent laws are leading to the rebound of a large amount, revitalizing these areas of Indrala as a center point for Indralan biodiversity.
Next time we will be exploring the vast Anle range, home to a number of magnificent creatures, such as the panda, which has become on of the faces of international conservation.
In addition to the Institution, IBER Indrala is brought to you with help from the Anle Range Academy of Natural Sciences, the Cheng Foundation, and the Kaizhou Inquirer Media Group.