Impact of Slow-Forming Terraces on Erosion Control and Landscape Restoration in Central Africa’s Steep Slopes

Jean Marie Vianney Nsabiyumva, Ciro Apollonio (), Giulio Castelli, Elena Bresci, Andrea Petroselli, Mohamed Sabir, Cyrille Hicintuka and Federico Preti
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Jean Marie Vianney Nsabiyumva: Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18-50144 Firenze, Italy
Ciro Apollonio: DAFNE Department, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Giulio Castelli: Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18-50144 Firenze, Italy
Elena Bresci: Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18-50144 Firenze, Italy
Andrea Petroselli: DAFNE Department, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Mohamed Sabir: National Forestry School of Engineers, BP 511 Avenue Moulay Youssef, Tabriquet-Salé 11 000, Morocco
Cyrille Hicintuka: Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Burundi (ISABU), Bujumbura BP: 795, Burundi
Federico Preti: Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18-50144 Firenze, Italy

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: Large-scale land restoration projects require on-the-ground monitoring and evidence-based evaluation. This study, part of the World Bank Burundi Landscape Restoration and Resilience Project (in French: Projet de Restauration et de Résilience du Paysage du Burundi-PRRPB), examines the impact of slow-forming terraces on surface conditions and erosion in Isare (Mumirwa) and Buhinyuza (Eastern Depressions), Burundi. Slow-forming, or progressive, terraces were installed on 16 December 2022 (Isare) and 30 December 2022 (Buhinyuza), featuring ditches and soil bunds to enhance soil and water conservation. Twelve plots were established, with 132 measurement pins, of which 72 were in non-terraced plots (n_PT) and 60 were in terraced plots (PT). Monthly measurements, conducted until May 2023, assessed erosion reduction, surface conditions, roughness, and soil thickness. Terracing reduced soil loss by 54% in Isare and 9% in Buhinyuza, though sediment accumulation in ditches was excessive, especially in n_PT. Anti-erosion ditches improved surface stability by reducing slope length, lowering erosion and runoff. Covered Surface (CoS%) exceeded 95%, while Opened Surface (OS%) and Bare Surface (BS%) declined significantly. At Isare, OS% dropped from 97% to 80%, and BS% from 96% to 3% in PT. Similar trends appeared in Buhinyuza. Findings highlight PRRPB effectiveness in this short-term timeframe, and provide insights for soil conservation in steep-slope regions of Central Africa.

Keywords: slow-forming terraces; anti-erosion ditches; Central Africa; sustainable agricultural management; soil conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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