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How expansive are the reed banks located in the Lake Biwa area? |
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The reed banks of Lake Biwa represent one of the three biggest concentrations
of reeds in Japan. Reeds cover an area equal to about half the size of
Lake Biwa itself. However, according to a survey made in 1992, the area
of the Lake Biwa reed banks has halved from 260 to 130 hectares since 1953. |
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What are "designated areas of reed concentration"? |
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Reed banks provide an ideal habitat for a wide variety of wetland plant
life. This plant life in turn plays important roles as hunting grounds
for animals that live near the water, a home to wetland birds and an environment
where fish and crustacea can lay their eggs. Owing to the fact that reed
banks support a rich concentration of animal and plant life, they have
attracted the attention of the Japanese government. In July 1992, the government
issued a directive called "the ordinance for the preservation of reed
concentration," aimed at protecting not only rush banks but also willow
and alder thickets. |
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