what is terraced slope

What is terraced slope? A terrace consists of a flat or gently sloping geomorphic surface, called a tread, that is typically bounded on one side by a steeper ascending slope, which is called a "riser" or "scarp". The tread and the steeper descending slope (riser or scarp) together constitute the terrace.

Full Answer

What is a terrace on a slope?

The tread and the steeper descending slope (riser or scarp) together constitute the terrace. Terraces can also consist of a tread bounded on all sides by a descending riser or scarp. A narrow terrace is often called a bench.

What is back slope cover in terrace farming?

As the name suggests, the back slope cover is a perennial grass. In the given terrace farming technique, the back slope is not cultivated, unlike the main part. Typically, the main part includes the soil taken from the downhill upwards, with further leveling for farming.

How to Terrace a sloping garden?

Planning is the first and foremost step to terrace your sloping garden. You will have to plan on what you want to grow in it, and what you want it to look like. Depending on these preferences, you must select appropriate supplies to make the terraces. The major issue you will face on terrace gardening is the water drainage on the sloping land.

What is a structural terrace?

The terrace results from preferential stripping by erosion of a layer of softer strata from an underlying layer of harder strata. The preferential removal of softer material exposes the flat surface of the underlying harder layer, creating the tread of a structural terrace.

What is a terrace?

For other uses, see Terrace (disambiguation). In geology, a terrace is a step-like landform. A terrace consists of a flat or gently sloping geomorphic surface, called a tread, that is typically bounded on one side by a steeper ascending slope, which is called a "riser" or "scarp". The tread and the steeper descending slope (riser or scarp) ...

What is a narrow terrace called?

A narrow terrace is often called a bench. The sediments underlying the tread and riser of a terrace are also commonly, but incorrectly, called terraces, leading to confusion. Terraces are formed in various ways.

What are the terraces of ancient ice-walled lakes?

In case of the lake terraces of ancient ice-walled lakes, some proglacial lakes, and alluvium-dammed (slackwater) lakes, they often represent the relict bottom of these lakes. Finally, glaciolacustrine kame terraces are either the relict deltas or bottoms of ancient ice marginal lakes.

What is a fluvial terrace?

Fluvial terraces are remnants of the former floodplain of a stream or river. They are formed by the downcutting of a river or stream channel into and the abandonment and lateral erosion of its former floodplain.

Where are Kame terraces formed?

Kame terraces are formed on the side of a glacial valley and are the deposits of meltwater streams flowing between the ice and the adjacent valley side.

What is a raised shoreline?

Raised shoreline – An ancient shoreline exposed above current water level. Terrace (earthworks) Wave-cut platform – The narrow flat area often found at the base of a sea cliff or along the shoreline of a lake, bay, or sea that was created by erosion.

What are the parallel roads of Glen Roy?

Parallel Roads of Glen Roy – Nature reserve in the Highlands of Scotland with ancient shoreline terraces. Machair – Fertile low-lying grassy plain. Piedmonttreppen. Raised beach – Beach or wave-cut platform raised above the shoreline by a relative fall in the sea level.

How to make a terrace in a hill?

Cut two 90-degree-angle trenches at opposite ends of the first trench into the hillside using a shovel. You should have three defined edges for your terrace at this point. Your terraces should have a 2-foot height difference to allow for proper planting space, if you continue to add additional terraces above the initial base terrace.

How to dig a trench on a hillside?

Dig a trench along the horizontal base of your hillside using a shovel. The depth of the trench needs to equal the radius of your landscape timber. Place the soil into a wheelbarrow for easier removal after the project.

How to measure trench length?

Measure your trench length using a measuring tape. Cut a landscape timber with a saw to the same measured length. Measure and cut additional timbers for your trench if it is longer than one timber length.

Can a hillside slope affect your home?

Landscaping. By Amy Rodriguez. If your yard has a natural hillside, this slope can direct rainfall into your home's foundation, causing severe damage over time. As a strategy to control this soil erosion, along with adding extra gardening space, you may create a terraced slope. Depending on your hillside's height, ...

How long should a terrace be in a backyard?

Make sure that each terrace is no longer than 1.5 m and no higher than 0.61 m for the best result.

What issues do you face when you plant a terrace?

The major issue you will face on terrace gardening is the water drainage on the sloping land.

How to measure sloping garden?

You can measure it simply by pounding the wooden stake into the ground at the bottom and others at the top of the slop. Now tie a string at the bottom of the upper wooden stake and pull it tight and tie at the same level on the second stake.

Can you build a terrace wall with concrete?

If not, building walls with concrete would be beneficial for strength and safety concerns. Now you can start digging the shallow trench along the horizontal direction of the slope. It would be best to dig the trench slightly wider than the materials that you are going to use to build your terrace wall.

Can you build a terrace with concrete blocks?

It should be done only if you are building your terrace walls with timbers or building tall retaining walls using concrete blocks. After you dig up the trench, you are ready to install the foundation.

Is a sloped garden prone to erosion?

Sloping land is always prone to erosion, so you should ensure proper drainage of water on your terrace garden. If not, hydrostatic pressure builds up behind the walls and eventually leading to its failure.

Sloped Garden Ideas

A terrace garden is a great way to grow plants and vegetables in the backyard. With the terrace garden, the uphill slope creates level planting surfaces for various plants to grow successfully. For those with steep hillsides or slopes in their yards, these stunning flower garden ideas are especially beneficial.

Retaining Wall Ideas For Sloped Backyard

If you want a sloped backyard with a garden, a terraced slope with stone retaining walls is the best way to go. It is a hill with an irrigation channel and soil placed at the bottom of each level.

Steps On A Slope

These steps can be done by building a wooden frame and lining the steps with wood. The frame helps to stabilize and keep them in place while also enabling you to make adjustments. You could then cover the steps with leaves, grass, or other natural material that fits your backyard landscaping theme.

In Conclusion

The sloped backyard landscaping ideas we’ve covered here should help you come up with some creative ways to keep your yard looking beautiful while also being functional.

What is terracing in agriculture?

Terracing is an agricultural practice that suggests rearranging farmlands or turning hills into farmlands by constructing specific ridged platforms. These platforms are called terraces. The essential (and distinguishing) feature of terracing agriculture is excavating and moving topsoil to form farmed areas and ridges.

How does terracing help the environment?

In particular, terrace agriculture: Increases farmability and land productivity of sloped fields. Contributes to water conservation: slows down and reduces water runoffs, improves rainwater harvesting.

What is contour terracing?

Contour Terracing. Like in contour strip farming, these terracing systems follow the relief contour. Terraces consist of point rows and grassed waterways. Even though such platforms require less input to arrange them, they are difficult for farming activities due to space irregularities.

Why is terrace farming important?

Yet, its advantages are multifold. The importance of terrace farming goes far beyond cultivating lands that are not suitable for agriculture otherwise. Furthermore, terrace farming prevents soil erosion and contributes to soil conservation.

Why is terracing important for crop monitoring?

If a farmer sees visible signs of erosion or has decreased yields season by season, and the field elevation is uneven (sloped), it is worth opting for terracing to stop erosion and boost yields. With Crop Monitoring, farmers can get data on field elevation and how the productivity of the field has changed over time.

Why is bench terracing used in agriculture?

Bench terracing in agriculture is most common for growing rice since bench terraces allow retaining water. For this reason, such a terracing layout is not suitable in the cases like: crops are sensitive to waterlogging, e.g., potatoes; lands are prone to sliding;

Where did terrace farming originate?

The technique is credited to ancient Incas, who developed the farming method of terracing in the Andes. Today, terracing is typical for mountainous rice paddies in Asia. Yet, terrace farming advantages make it a beneficial experience to borrow for any hilly terrains, both paddies or drylands, with various crops to grow.

Overview

See more on heald.nga.gov

Fluvial terraces

Kame terraces

Marine terraces

Lacustrine terraces

Structural terraces

Travertine terraces

See also