Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Resilience of the Hani Rice Terraces System to extreme drought

Author(s):

Yanying Bai, Qingwen Min *, Moucheng Liu, Zheng Yuan, Yuantao Xu, Zhi Cao, Jing Li

Recieved Date: 2013-07-15, Accepted Date: 2013-09-18

Abstract:

As one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) pilot sites selected by FAO, the Hani Rice Terraces System has many advantages in its rational ecosystem structure, ingenious agricultural knowledge system, excellent water and land management practices and a long history of experience of resilience, with which to adapt to climate change. In this paper, we examined the ability of the Hani Rice Terraces System to resist the extreme drought in Southwest China during late 2009 to early 2010, and then we analyzed its adaptation mechanisms. The results illustrate that the vertical distribution of the Forest-Village-Terrace-River ecological landscape provides a well functioning water conservation system. The upland well-preserved headwater forest which guarantees the water supply for terraces plays a key role in the resilience of the Hani Rice Terraces System to any form of drought events. A water supply-demand analysis demonstrates that there is always plenty of water for the rice terraces. The main water supply in the dry season is from the upland forest groundwater runoff, highlighting the importance of protecting the forests. Faced with the increase of water crisis and extreme climatic change events, it is of great importance to learn from the water resources utilization patterns and management methods of the Hani Rice Terraces System, in order to cope with the challenges ahead that may be brought about by climate change.

Keywords:

Extreme drought, traditional agriculture, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), Hani Rice Terraces System, water management

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2013
Volume: 11
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 2376-2382

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