Value of the GIAHS-China traditional rice-fish system

As one of the initial plot systems of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), the traditional ricefish system in Qingtian County, Zhejiang Province，plays potential and important roles in regional sustainable development of economy, society, culture and eco-environment. For example, it can increase the production and benefits of agriculture, reduce the cost of agriculture, bring relative economic benefits, keep the ecological balance of the rice field, protect the farmland environment and conserve the biodiversity, etc. At the same time, its social, cultural, scientific and demonstrating values are of great importance for the GIAHS dynamic conservation and adaptive management.