One field, multiple harvests! How to make "rice, fish and duck" go hand in hand in Hani terraces?

In the southwest of China, the magnificent natural landscape and ethnic culture of the Hani Rice Terraces in Yunnan complement each other. The local area has explored the ecological environment resource utilization method of "four elements isomorphism" of forests, water systems, villages and terraces, which is an important example of building a beautiful China.

When you enter the Hani Terraces, the first thing that comes into view is the lush forests. These forests are a green barrier. They are deeply rooted in the soil, conserve water sources, effectively prevent soil erosion, reduce the risk of flash floods, and protect the safety and stability of the terraces. These forests are also the natural "fertilizer factories" of the Hani Terraces. Through a complex ecological cycle, they produce rich organic matter. These organic matter is continuously transported to the terraces with the flow of mountain water, providing unique conditions for the growth of high-quality rice.

In the depths of the Hani terraces, there are quaint villages scattered around. Here, people's lifestyles and farming culture are closely linked to the terrace ecosystem, forming a unique ecological civilization. The construction and management of the villages follow the concept of ecological protection, and continue the terrace farming civilization in development, such as promoting the "rice, fish and duck" integrated breeding model to achieve "three uses of water and multiple harvests from one field", and the mutual symbiosis between rice, fish and ducks. The entire breeding process is green, environmentally friendly and pollution-free, providing diverse ecological services for the terrace ecosystem.

The terraced fields are the core of the Hani terraced field ecosystem. They carry the farming culture passed down from generation to generation by the Hani people and are a model of the perfect combination of human wisdom and the natural environment. The Hani people carefully plan the location and shape of each field according to the terrain and water flow conditions of the mountains. They use the technology of flushing fertilizer with water to flush organic matter from the mountains into the terraced fields, providing nutrients for crops. This unique farming method not only improves the utilization rate and output rate of the land, but also effectively maintains the stability of water and soil and the ecological balance.

The water system connects forests, villages and terraces, and is the soul of the entire ecosystem. The Hani people have built ditches, reservoirs and other facilities to rationally allocate and utilize water resources to ensure that the irrigation needs of the terraces are met. According to the natural terrain and water flow laws, the terraces are nourished with water conserved by the forest, which preserves the local biodiversity to the greatest extent.

The water system also carries the water culture and farming traditions of the Hani people. For example, the traditional water management method of "wood carving water division" makes rational and effective use of water resources, avoiding water use disputes between villages and villagers. This refined water resource management method also provides useful reference and inspiration for modern water resource management.

Yunnan Hani Rice Terraces, with its unique composite ecosystem model, has become a banner for the construction of ecological civilization in Beautiful China. Currently, the local area is actively exploring new ways of ecotourism, promoting the integration of cultural heritage protection and tourism development, and promoting the beautiful vision of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature to become a reality.

Review: Xinhuanet Science Department