Answer sheet 9.3.3.

Soil threats and two scenarios

1. Describe for the “business-as-usual” scenario (photo 1):

a. What is the main soil threat that you see?

The main soil threat here is water erosion, as can be seen from the severe development
of rills and gullies on the fields. There are also signs of sheet erosion.

b. What are the biophysical impacts of this scenario?

Multiple impacts can be seen: first of all, seeds and seedlings are displaced by overland
flow, leading to poor crop establishment. Secondly, soil, and with it valuable soil
nutrients, are lost with soil erosion from the steep slopes. This will lead to loss of soil
depth and soil fertility, which will render the soils less and less productive over time.
Third, heavy rainfall may cause serious off-site problems: we see a roof of a house on
the picture that may be affected by occasional mud flows or flooding. Generally, the
water retention capacity of the landscape is very low, so high runoff rates can be
expected which can have destructive force.

c. What do you think could be the socioeconomic consequences of this scenario?

We do not need a lot of imagination to predict that the fields under business-as-usual
management will produce less and less yield. We see small-scale plots, and likely
produce is at least partly for home consumption. The household food security situation
will thus be at stake. Gully development may lead to conflicts between neighbouring
farmers, and at a larger scale, off-site impacts on roads, other fields, houses and other
infrastructure can become a real problem for multiple stakeholders. Apart from the
direct damage, also accessibility may be affected, and siltation of reservoirs
downstream. As less and less suitable land is available for farming, future generations
will suffer and need to migrate, or will have to access more and more marginal land in a
negative spiral to degradation.

2. Describe in the “problem-solved” scenario (photo 2):

a. What are the measures implemented to solve the soil threat?

The most obvious interventions you can see on the photo are bench terraces, but we
also see cut-off drains, woodlots and parts of the landscape that are left under natural
vegetation, perhaps as a purposeful strategy not to cultivate the most sensitive parts of
the landscape.

b. What are the biophysical effects (improvements) of this scenario?

The terraces stabilise the slopes. As the slope length is decreased and terrace surfaces
are almost flat, less runoff is generated and more water can infiltrate. More water can
thus be buffered, which is positive for crop development and erosion control. Although
risers of terraces are steeper than the original slope, they are kept permanently
vegetated which helps to stabilise the slopes. Generally, the vegetative cover is
enhanced, both by crops and by other types of vegetation. Overall, the landscape
 becomes more productive and off-site impacts of water erosion such as flooding and
sedimentation are contained.

c. What do you think would be the socioeconomic effects (improvements) of this scenario?

First and foremost, on the terraces productivity increases will be experienced by the
farmers. The terraces do lead to some loss of land for cultivation, but by stopping
degradation and better yields on terraces, this can disadvantage can be offset. We can
also see that some risers are planted with perennial grasses that can be used as cattle
fodder. Woodlots provide wood for construction and firewood. Houses and other
infrastructure are safeguarded from damage from mudflows, flooding and
sedimentation. Soil is no longer lost, giving opportunities for future generations to
continue farming the landscape.