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Integrating land‐water‐people connectivity concepts across disciplines for co‐design of soil erosion solutions
Author(s) -
Blake William H.,
Kelly Claire,
Wynants Maarten,
Patrick Aloyce,
Lewin Shaun,
Lawson Joseph,
Nasolwa Emmanuel,
Page Annabel,
Nasseri Mona,
Marks Carey,
Gilvear David,
Mtei Kelvin,
Munishi Linus,
Ndakidemi Patrick
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.3791
Subject(s) - erosion , rill , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , geography , environmental resource management , geology , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering
Abstract Soil resources in East Africa are being rapidly depleted by erosion, threatening food, water and livelihood security in the region. Here we demonstrate how the integration of evidence from natural and social sciences has supported a community‐led change in land management in an agro‐pastoral community in northern Tanzania. Geospatial analysis of erosion risk and extent (based on a drone survey across a 3.6 km 2 sub‐catchment) revealed that recently converted land had ca 12‐times greater rill density than established slow‐forming terraced plots (987 ± 840 m 2 ha −1 vs. 79 ± 110 m 2 ha −1 ). Slope length and connectivity between plots were key factors in the development of rill networks rather than slope per se wherein slope length was augmented by weak boundaries between newly formed plots. Erosion evidence, supported by communication of 'process' and 'structural' hydrological connectivity, was integrated with local environmental knowledge within participatory community workshops. Demonstration of the critical time window of hillslope‐scale rill erosion risk during early phases of slow‐forming terrace development catalysed a community‐led tree planting and grass seed sowing programme to mitigate soil erosion by water. This was grounded in an implicit farmer understanding of the need for effective governance mechanisms at both community and District levels, to enable community‐led actions to be implemented effectively. The study demonstrates the wide‐reaching impact of integrated and interdisciplinary 'upslope‐downslope' thinking to tackle global soil erosion challenges.