Agricultural Terraces Special Issue Preface. (17th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tarolli, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Land degradation & development. Volume 29:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 3544
• Page End: 3548
• Publication Date: 2018-10-17
• Subjects: Land degradation -- Periodicals; Soil conservation -- Periodicals; Reclamation of land -- Periodicals; Land use -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7315
• DOI: 10.1002/ldr.3129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1085-3278

Abstract

Abstract: Agricultural terraces are a cultivation technique used, since ancient times, in many regions of the world. Terraces are built to reduce slope gradient and increase the infiltration of water; to mitigate soil erosion, collect rainwater run‐off, and concentrate it on a cropped plot; and to support agriculture in difficult environmental conditions (e.g., high‐steep slopes). Poorly designed and maintained terraces can lead to slope failures, often due to walls collapsing, and then large quantities of soil become vulnerable to run‐off erosion. The purpose of this Special Issue is to review the main environmental problems and opportunities that occur in a terraced landscape, explore how to monitor and date a terrace system, and provide useful guidance for landowners and practitioners who deal with terraced landscapes.