Geography
Why Terraced Agriculture Transforms Hillslope Hydrology and Soil Retention
Quick fact
Terraced fields can reduce soil erosion by up to 90% compared with unterraced slopes, and they also increase water infiltration, recharging groundwater and reducing the risk of downstream floods.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a hillside after a heavy rain: water rushes down, carving gullies and washing away soil. But on terraced slopes, the same rain is captured, tamed, and used to grow crops. What makes those stone steps so powerful?