#202Runoff barriers
202⸱AConcept
- Reduces erosion
- Improves water infiltration
- Balances soil humidity
Steep slopes combined with heavy rainfalls that are happening more often due to climate change raise the risk of heavy downhill currents and erosion. Creating barriers across slopes and streams can slow down the water flow. This helps to improve water infiltration and reduces erosion and the leaching of nutrients.
Barriers can be
- artificial dams and drop structures,
- stone or vegetative barriers that form terraces on the hillside,
- swales, as shallow, broad, vegetated channels.
These barriers help to form retention basins or infiltration zones that capture the excess water so that it can seep into the ground and replenish the groundwater. In this way, this relatively simple method can solve the problem of both too much and too little water.
Another measure to prevent erosion and recharge the groundwater with an immediate effect on less steep plots is the tool of Rainwater basins. This is, however, rather recommended in cases of emergency and not as a long-term solution.
202⸱BTo be considered
Timing: Barriers can be built at any moment. Building them before planting coffee trees facilitates the construction of barriers and reduces coffee tree damage. If combined with vegetation, the growth time of the plants should be considered. Barriers are particularly valuable after longer drought periods and when there is a risk of strong rainfalls.
202⸱CImplementation
202⸱1Procedure
For hillsides with >30 % slope:
Create barriers
202⸱2
Plant vegetative barriers
Cover plant strip
In areas of high rainfall, it is recommended to plant the barriers with a gradient of 0.5 to 5 %. This means that the level line that is drawn to plant the coffee and the live barriers, will have a slight gradient. This ensures good drainage and avoids waterpuddles. At the same time, the draining is so smooth that it prevents soil erosion.
202⸱3
For streams through or near the coffee plots:
Create an artificial dam and drop structure
202⸱DEconomic benefits
Lower renovation costs
This tool increases the lifespan of the coffee trees. They need to be renovated less frequently which reduces the long-term production costs.
Higher coffee yield
The effects of this tool can lead to a higher coffee yield and therefore a higher income.
202⸱EGreen benefits
Better soil life
This tool helps improve soil life (microbes, earthworms, etc.). This plays a vital role in plant nutrition and contributes to a healthy ecosystem.
202⸱GComments