Role of paddy rice fields (sawah) as sediment filter in agroforestry mosaics

For predictions of downstream effect of soil erosion we need to consider various factors affecting sediment transfer. Rice fields are presumed to trap incoming sediment, therefore their role in sediment transfer should be considered in prediction of downstream effects. Sediments coming from upper slope are often deposited in sawah (= paddy rice) terraces. Sawah terraces can therefore function as a sediment trap. But, not all incoming sediment will be permanently deposited in sawah terraces; a portion of it will leave the sawah field especially during land cultivation and weeding activities. Both activities will physically disperse the deposited sediment and in turn a portion of the sediment will leave the sawah along with run-off. Knowledge of how much net sediments are permanently deposited in sawah terraces is very important for adjustment of off-site prediction of erosion from upper-slope. The objective of this research is thus to measure the sediment balance of a sawah field on annual basis. Due to funding limitations, however, this research covers only one planting season. We hope to be in a position to continue this research to complete a full one-year analysis

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