The land management practice that creates flat, stepped areas on slopes to reduce runoff?

The land management practice that creates flat, stepped areas on slopes to reduce runoff?

• A. Terracing
• B. Deforestation
• C. Urbanization
• D. Irrigation

Answer: (A)

Terracing turns a slope into a series of flat, level steps. Each flat platform slows the flow of water, giving it more time to infiltrate the soil and reducing the speed and volume of surface runoff. The raised edges or walls on each step hold soil in place, preventing erosion and making farming on hillsides possible. This technique is common in hilly agricultural areas and is precisely designed to minimize runoff while retaining soil moisture. Deforestation removes the vegetation that helps protect soil and absorb rain, leading to more erosion and runoff. Urbanization covers land with concrete and asphalt, creating impermeable surfaces that increase, rather than reduce, runoff. Irrigation adds water to crops but doesn’t create the stepped, flat surfaces that slow runoff.

Terracing turns a slope into a series of flat, level steps. Each flat platform slows the flow of water, giving it more time to infiltrate the soil and reducing the speed and volume of surface runoff. The raised edges or walls on each step hold soil in place, preventing erosion and making farming on hillsides possible. This technique is common in hilly agricultural areas and is precisely designed to minimize runoff while retaining soil moisture.

Deforestation removes the vegetation that helps protect soil and absorb rain, leading to more erosion and runoff. Urbanization covers land with concrete and asphalt, creating impermeable surfaces that increase, rather than reduce, runoff. Irrigation adds water to crops but doesn’t create the stepped, flat surfaces that slow runoff.