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#10972 Flooded fields, Thailand

Thailand

The Thailand Flooded Fields biotope, which includes agricultural rice paddies, floodplains, and shallow seasonal marshes, represents one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic freshwater environments. Shaped by the annual monsoon cycle, these shallow, slow-moving waters create highly productive habitats characterized by abundant vegetation, fluctuating water levels, and rich organic matter accumulation. These ecosystems are particularly valued by aquarium enthusiasts for their unique ecological characteristics and biodiversity.

Submitted by: Mainak Sen Gupta

Geographical region: Southeastern Asia
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type: Wetland
Water body name: Flooded fields
Water body part: Flood plain
Water body course: Headwaters
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name

Videos above and below water

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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: Freshwater
Water color: Black water
Water transparency: Medium
Concentration of sediments: High
Water temperature: °C
Water flow/curent: Slow

Chemical parameters

pH: 6
Conductivity
GH
dGH
KH
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Substrate in nature

Sand: Grey
Pebble/Gravel: Mixed
Stone: Brown
Stone form: Irregular
Silt/Mud: Brown
Leaves: Adundant
Driftwood: Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation: Yes

Aquatic Biotope

Date of collecting
Collecting area
Water depth
Air temperature: 24 °C
Sunlight

Environment

Environment

Affected by human activity

Affected by human activity

Agriculture

Agriculture

Advanced

Surrounding area

Thailand’s flooded fields, characteristic of Southeast Asian freshwater landscapes, are surrounded by extensive rice paddies, seasonal wetlands, and scattered patches of tropical vegetation. These waterlogged habitats support a rich diversity of aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, insects, and wading birds.

During the monsoon season, the flooded plains become highly productive ecosystems, providing feeding areas, shelter, and breeding grounds for numerous species while continuing to support traditional agricultural practices.

Fish:

Betta imbellis (Osphronemidae)
Maculatus (family to be confirmed)
Urophthalmoides (family to be confirmed)

Aquatic plants:

Ceratophyllum demersum (Ceratophyllaceae)
Pistia stratiotes (Araceae)
Lemna minor (Araceae)

Wetland plants:

Hydrocotyle verticillata (Araliaceae)
Stenochlaena palustris (Blechnaceae)
Nephrolepis exaltata (Nephrolepidaceae)

Underwater landscape

The underwater landscape of Thailand’s flooded fields in the Southeast Asian biotope consists of shallow, slow-moving waters covering fertile soils, submerged grasses, rice stalks, and scattered aquatic vegetation. Fallen leaves, branches, and soft muddy substrates create a complex microhabitat that supports fish, shrimp, snails, and a wide variety of microorganisms.

Seasonal flooding transforms these agricultural landscapes into dynamic aquatic ecosystems, increasing nutrient availability and creating temporary habitats rich in biodiversity.

Threats to ecology

Thailand’s flooded field ecosystems face increasing ecological threats from agricultural intensification, pesticide and fertilizer runoff, habitat conversion, and changes in water management practices. These pressures can degrade water quality, reduce aquatic biodiversity, and disrupt the natural seasonal flooding cycles on which many species depend for feeding, shelter, and reproduction.

Climate change, including altered rainfall patterns and prolonged drought periods, further threatens the stability and ecological productivity of these unique wetland habitats.