How to measure terrace formation on sloping land?

Abstract

Terraces play a crucial role in minimizing soil erosion, preserving soil moisture, enhancing landscape quality, and increasing land value (Foster, 2004). These structures effectively reduce erosion by shortening slopes and intercepting surface runoff through the separation of slope segments (Koomson et al., 2020). Instead of constructing terraces individually up the hill, a progressive establishment approach involves forming terraces over time in conjunction with vegetation, such as grass strips and shrubs/trees, planted along contour lines (Do et al., 2023). Various tree, crop, and grass species can be utilized for this purpose, serving as living barriers against erosion and representing a low-input soil conservation technique (Tripp, 2017; Wojtkowski, 2008). This naturally initiated terrace creation can be a significant element of green infrastructure as a nature-based solution for sustainable land use (Simelton et al., 2021). When integrated with other agricultural practices, terraces developed in steeply sloping areas have the potential to substantially enhance agricultural production and water-use efficiency (Chai et al., 2014).

Measuring the amount of topsoil eroded in the formation of the terrace is essential for assessing the effectiveness of terrace farming in preventing soil erosion and conserving soil.

Published in

Publisher: ICRAF

SLU Authors

• Van Hung, Do

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • World Agroforestry (ICRAF)

• Pham, Huu Thuong

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • World Agroforestry (ICRAF)

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Soil Science

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/140523