Magic stones (or bunds) are
circles of stones placed on the ground to hold water on the soil rather than letting it run quickly over the surface
. Drip irrigation is where water drips slowly onto the ground from pin-sized holes in a hose lying on top of the soil.
What are bunds in geography?
Stone lines
(or bunds) are an example of appropriate technology. This involves building lines of stones along contours (area of land that is the same height). These stones trap soil being transported by the wind so that it is isn’t eroded.
How do stone lines stop desertification?
A contour stone line 25 to 30cm high with other stones behind is constructed. These stones
slow down run off water
and allow it time to infiltrate the ground and rich sediments to be trapped in the field. This results in less erosion and more water for the crops.
What are stone lines geography?
Stones lined
along the soil contours to keep soil in place, prevent erosion and improve crop yields
. Projects such as this can involve the whole community and give them a sense of ownership and responsibility. Managing grazing land to avoid overgrazing, soil erosion and desertification.
Why is the Sahel a difficult place to farm?
Rainfall—or more specifically, the absence of significant rainfall—is a significant challenge for farmers in the Sahel.
Droughts periodically cause severely reduced crop yields
. … It’s crucial that farmers time crop planting with the weather, especially in the northern regions where rainfall is more limited.
What are the types of Bund?
There exist two main types of bunds:
contour bunds (contour ridges) and semi-circular bunds
. The choice of the type of bund depends on the local ground conditions.
What is called Bund?
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : an
embankment
used especially in India to control the flow of water. 2 : an embanked thoroughfare along a river or the sea especially in the Far East.
How can we slow down desertification?
- Planting more trees – the roots of trees hold the soil together and help to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain.
- Improving the quality of the soil – this can be managed by encouraging people to reduce the number of grazing animals they have and grow crops instead.
What are stone lines used for?
The stone lines are arranged along the contour to act as a barrier that slows down the speed of water and soil,
improve infiltration
, mitigate land slides and trap sediment thereby reducing the extent of erosion.
What are the effects of desertification?
Desertification affects
topsoil, groundwater reserves, surface runoff, human, animal, and plant populations
. Water scarcity in drylands limits the production of wood, crops, forage, and other services that ecosystems provide to our community.
How do stone lines work?
Stone lines are long rows of stones piled together to form barriers across your field. … The stone lines slow the flow of water across your fields. They work on both flat and sloping land. The stone lines
force the water to spread over the soil
so that it can be absorbed into the soil instead of running off the field.
Are stone lines sustainable?
Stone Lines and Fanya Juu are two sustainable land management technologies that have a proven track record in Africa. …
Why is reducing desertification important?
In Africa and other countries largely dependant on agricultural production, desertification can
reduce agricultural yields and make them much more unpredictable
. It therefore affects food security of those living in affected areas.
Is the Sahel poor?
With up to 80% of its people living on less than $2 a day,
poverty is more widespread in the Sahel
than in most other parts of Africa. The Sahel’s population growth rate also is among the world’s highest. … Poor governance does not help.
What do you think is the biggest problem facing the Sahel countries?
Historically the Sahel has been characterized by strong climatic variations and irregular rainfalls, which pose two of the biggest obstacles to
food security and poverty reduction in the
region, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Things have gotten worse in recent decades, experts say.
What is life like in the Sahel?
The Sahel faces numerous
political and socio-economic challenges
. With 60 per cent of its population under 25 years lack of education, unemployment, poverty and exclusion make fertile ground for disenfranchisement, grievance and radicalization. Many risk their lives crossing the desert and sea to Europe.
