Advantages and disadvantages of terracing: A comprehensive review

Deng, Chuxiong; Zhang, Guangye; Liu, Yaojun; Nie, Xiaodong; Li, Zhongwu; Liu, Junyu; Zhu, Damei

doi:10.1016/j.iswcr.2021.03.002

Cited by 106 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 151 publications

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“…Lack of appropriate maintenance or total abandonment of terraces lead to collapses of the structural features (stone-walls and benches) and increases geo-hydrological hazards through gully erosion and possible land sliding [23,24]. Thus soil loss and average runoff in poorly maintained terraces can be up to five times that of well managed ones [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Abandoned Lands in Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Terraced Landscape Re-Cultivation in Mediterranean Island Conditions

Sakellariou

Psiloglou

Giannakopoulos

et al. 2021

Land

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Agriculture terraces constitute a significant element of the Mediterranean landscape, enabling crop production on steep slopes while protecting land from desertification. Despite their ecological and historical value, terrace cultivation is threatened by climate change leading to abandonment and further marginalization of arable land imposing serious environmental and community hazards. Re-cultivation of terraced landscapes could be an alternative strategy to mitigate the climate change impacts in areas of high vulnerability encouraging a sustainable agroecosystem to ensure food security, rural development and restrain land desertification. The article presents the case study of abandoned terrace re-cultivation in the Aegean Island of Andros, using a climate smart agriculture system, which involves the establishment of an extensive meteorological network to monitor the local climate and hydrometeorological forecasting. Along with terrace site mapping and soil profiling the perfomance of cereal and legume crops was assessed in a low-input agriculture system. The implementation of a land stewardship (LS) plan was indispensable to overcome mainly land fragmentation issues and to transfer know-how. It was found that climate data are key drivers for crop cultivation and production in the island rainfed farming system. The study revealed that terrace soil quality could be improved through cultivation to support food safety and stall land degradation. In line with global studies this research suggest that cultivation of marginal terraced land is timely through a climate smart agriculture system as a holistic approach to improve land quality and serve as means to combat climate change impacts. The study also discusses land management and policy approaches to address the issue of agricultural land abandonment and the benefits gained through cultivation to the local community, economy and environment protection and sustainability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Abandoned Lands in Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Terraced Landscape Re-Cultivation in Mediterranean Island Conditions

Sakellariou

Psiloglou

Giannakopoulos

et al. 2021

Land

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“…Although several studies affirm the high sensitivity of agricultural and forest catchments to soil available water content and curve number (Cibin et al, 2010; Nossent et al, 2011), the calibration revealed a reduced sensitivity for curve number under terraced conditions. A possible explanation can be given by the change in topography derived from terraces construction, which diverts the natural path of runoff and decreases hydrological connectivity (Deng et al, 2021; Hammad et al, 2006), reducing the influence of the curve number on the flow at the catchment outlet. By reducing runoff, terraces embolden infiltration contributing to increase soil moisture (Deng et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is used both as a soil conservation technique and a facilitator to mechanised forest operations. From existing studies it is clear that, when properly managed, terracing disrupts connectivity within the basin, reducing surface runoff and sediment yield in downstream waterbodies (Deng et al, 2021). Conversely, if poorly managed or abandoned, these structures can reach high levels of erosion due to the collapse of the terrace walls and high incidence of gullies formation (Deng et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A modelling approach to evaluate land management options for recently burnt catchments

Basso

Serpa

Rocha³

et al. 2022

European J Soil Science

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Scars left by wildfires are easily visible in the Mediterranean landscape and, like any wound, even those left by fires must be treated to regenerate properly. If not managed, spontaneous vegetation regeneration will eventually cover the affected area, restoring the hydrological cycle. The reforestation of burned stands, involving ploughing the land and building terraces on steep slopes, together with fertilisation of the area, is also common. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to simulate three post-fire land management options for a small catchment in central Portugal. The choice of this basin relates to the implementation of terraces to create a eucalyptus forest production area 7 months after a fire completely burned the catchment. Two alternative post-fire scenarios were designed, one simulating the spontaneous recovery of the ecosystem and the second reproducing a catchment-scale implementation of a highly effective erosion mitigation measure (mulching).

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“…Surface run-off and soil loss are reduced by rock barriers, hedgerows, and terraces (Dano and Siapno 1992;Bai et al 2019). Deng et al (2021) highlighted the contributions of terracing in preventing soil erosion, conserving water, and increasing agricultural production. They further argued that in terms of ecosystem services, terraces reduce runoff and sediment by 41.9% and 52%, respectively; improve soil moisture content by 12.9%, and contribute toward the conservation of plant biodiversity on a local scale.…”

Section: Establishment Of Structural Soil and Water Conservation Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local knowledge and practices towards the ecological restoration of selected landscape in Atok, Benguet, Philippines

et al. 2021

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Abstract. Landicho LD, Ocampo MTNP, Cabahug RED, Abadillos MG, Cosico RSA, Castillo AKA, Ramirez MAJP, Laruan KA. 2021. Local knowledge and practices towards the ecological restoration of selected landscape in Atok, Benguet, Philippines. Biodiversitas 22: 2785-2794. This study argues that local ecological knowledge and practices contribute to forest conservation and management efforts. This argument is based on the research conducted in upland communities in Atok, Benguet, Philippines. Interviews, farm visits, and focus group discussions revealed that the local communities have been dependent on the forest resources within the watershed in their agricultural production activities. These local communities employed their knowledge and practices towards restoring the ecological state of the watershed. These include the integration of trees on the farm, planting of Alnus japonica for soil and water conservation, the establishment of structural soil and water conservation, maintenance of communal forests, and awareness building among the youth on forest conservation and management. A moderate level of biodiversity and evenness index were in the conservation of giant tree ferns. A very low (0.9718) diversity index and a very high (0.825) evenness index were recorded in the farm lots, while a very low (0.437) diversity index and moderate (0.421) evenness index were measured in the communal forests. On the other hand, high soil organic matter contents of 6.49% and 5.86% were recorded both at the community and farm lots, respectively. Results imply the need to sustain the use of local knowledge and practices in combination with the technological interventions from academia and research institutions to enhance the ecological restoration of forest landscapes.

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Advantages and disadvantages of terracing: A comprehensive review

Cited by 106 publications

References 151 publications

Integration of Abandoned Lands in Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Terraced Landscape Re-Cultivation in Mediterranean Island Conditions

Integration of Abandoned Lands in Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Terraced Landscape Re-Cultivation in Mediterranean Island Conditions

A modelling approach to evaluate land management options for recently burnt catchments

Local knowledge and practices towards the ecological restoration of selected landscape in Atok, Benguet, Philippines

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