Description of practice
Half-moon terraces are stone or earth embankments built in the shape of a semicircle with the tips of the bund on the contour. They can be used for individual shrubs or trees or arranged in staggered rows, so that overflow from one row runs downslope into the next. Their purpose is to collect and concentrate surface water runoff to increase water availability for plant growth.
| Examples of how to use half-moon terraces | Further information (see Note below) |
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Semi-circular earth bundsSemi-circular earth bunds are used to rehabilitate degraded, denuded and hardened land for crop growing, grazing or forestry. |
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Half-moon terraces for treesHalf-moon shaped basins are dug in the soil to collect water and enhance moisture availability. Smaller, closely spaced half-moons are better for growing trees and shrubs. |
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Mini half-moon stone terracesMini terraces with a stone wall at the edge, spaced in a staggered pattern are used for planting fruit trees. The aim is to conserve water and increase fertilizer efficiency by reducing runoff losses. |
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Large semi-circular stone bundsSemi-circular stone bunds are constructed by excavating a foundation and building a stone embankment that tapers in height towards the tips in order to enable the removal of excess runoff. Within the semicircle 1-3 tree planting pits can be excavated. |
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La Geria half-moons for vinesAt La Geria, vines are planted in cone-shaped pits that are protected against the prevalent wind by half-moon stone bunds. Vines are rooted into fertile soil that is covered with a layer of mineral-rich volcanic ash. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.