Extensive Rain Runoff Causing Deep Trenches

Synopsis

Rising global temperatures due to climate change are causing longer and more severe droughts to occur across the African continent, which has contributed to an increase in the level of soil and land degradation across Kenya. During periods of low rainfall, the soil in regions of southern Kenya can become very dry and compact, which prevents water from infiltrating through the top layer of soil down to deeper levels. Instead, this water accumulates and forms small rivers that remove the topsoil and all the nutrients within it. Overfarming and overgrazing of animals also contributes to the degradation of soils in this region. To prevent soil erosion within these trenches from worsening, locals create small stone walls within the ditches using rocks from the surrounding area. These walls slow down the water flow within the trenches, allowing time for the water to seep into the soil below whilst also re-directing the water of out of the channels and back onto the surrounding land and water bunds. This provides the time, water and nutrients required for the vegetation to regenerate and the trenches to recover.

---

Credit

Images freely available on Open Planet

---

Note

Open Planet is made possible with the support of our collaborators - broadcasters, production companies, affiliates and filmmakers. Please also credit those listed below.

---

Production Companies

Studio Silverback

---