Flood Management and Erosion Control: an Example of a Small-Scale Catchment Approach From Sichuan Province, China

摘要

At present, 24% of the global land surface shows signs of land degradation, one fifth being cropland (Bai et al.. 2008). In recent decades, innovations in technology to increase land productivity and advances in soil and water conservation, have partly alleviated impacts on global food production. However, with the increasing demand for food, feed and non-food production, agricultural production is intensifying in some areas, and consequently protection of agricultural land from degradation is more urgent than ever (Lai, 2008). Soil erosion is one of the processes leading to land degradation. Land use practices have distinct effects on runoff generation and soil erosion, with consequences for flood risk in downstream areas.