Integrated Watershed Management

Integrated Watershed Management

Assessing the impact of crescent-shaped water harvesting systems on increasing soil moisture (Case study: A Part of the Manesht and Qhalarang Region)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Alireza Mohammadi 1
Mohsen Tavakoli 1
Freidoon Soleimani 2
1 Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
2 Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, Ilam, Iran
10.22034/iwm.2025.2050619.1202
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction: The depletion of water resources in forested protected areas poses a critical environmental challenge, necessitating innovative watershed management strategies. In this regard, the implementation of water harvesting systems, such as crescent-shaped runoff capture terraces, is of paramount importance for enhancing surface water infiltration and increasing soil moisture retention. The present study investigates the effects of these systems on runoff infiltration and soil moisture content within a part of the Manesht and Qalarang protected area in Ilam Province. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of crescent-shaped water harvesting terraces on soil moisture storage and to compare it with the natural conditions (control area) in sloped terrains.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted experimentally using a randomized block design. In the first step, several rows of crescent-shaped water harvesting terraces were constructed in a zigzag pattern along the sloping terrain of the study area. These systems were designed such that the runoff between two adjacent water harvesting systems was captured and managed by the lower-row terrace. Following the installation of the systems, soil moisture content was measured at three locations in the control area and at 15 locations within the treatment area (various points of the crescent-shaped water harvesting system) after five precipitation events, from November 2022 to May 2023. Soil moisture measurements were taken at two depths: 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm, and the data were recorded accordingly. Data analysis was performed using the SAS software, and mean comparisons were conducted using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test.
Results and Discussion: The results of this study indicated that depth, system type, and precipitation amount significantly affect soil moisture retention. Specifically, the crescent-shaped system at a depth of 15 cm exhibited the highest soil moisture retention compared to the other systems. In particular, at the 15 cm depth, soil moisture in the crescent-shaped system increased by approximately 15% compared to the control area. Additionally, the results revealed that the water harvesting point inside the pit had the highest soil moisture retention, with an average of 27.38%, while this value did not show a statistically significant difference from the water harvesting point at the top of the ridge, which had an average of 36.50%. Further analysis of the interactions between different water harvesting points at varying depths indicated that the point inside the pit, at a depth of 15 cm, exhibited the highest soil moisture retention, with an average of 51.70%. Conversely, the lowest soil moisture retention at the 30 cm depth was observed at the point located on the ridge, with an average of 20.49%. These findings suggest that the crescent-shaped system, particularly at the water harvesting points inside the pit, plays a critical role in enhancing soil moisture retention.
Conclusion: The results of this study clearly demonstrated that the use of crescent-shaped water harvesting systems can significantly contribute to soil moisture retention in sloped terrains. Specifically, the water harvesting points inside the pit exhibited the greatest impact on increasing soil moisture retention compared to other locations. Additionally, the increase in soil depth generally led to a reduction in soil moisture retention across all treatments. Furthermore, data analysis revealed that the effectiveness of the water harvesting systems in improving soil moisture retention is influenced by factors such as precipitation intensity, soil depth, and the type of system employed. In instances of sufficient precipitation, the crescent-shaped system, particularly inside the pit, played a prominent role in collecting and storing water, thereby significantly increasing soil moisture compared to natural conditions (control area). These findings suggest that the crescent-shaped system can be a highly effective tool in improving soil moisture conditions in arid and semi-arid regions facing water scarcity. The results emphasize that the design and application of water harvesting systems can serve as an efficient and sustainable strategy for water resource management and ecological restoration in forested areas, particularly in regions with limited precipitation and steep slopes. Such systems offer a promising solution for addressing drought crises and mitigating the depletion of water resources.
Keywords
Soil moisture
Runoff
Water harvesting systems
Sloped terrains
Infiltration

Subjects

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Integrated Watershed Management
Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 16
Summer 2025
Pages 147-159

  • Receive Date 13 January 2025
  • Revise Date 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date 21 April 2025