LOCAL APPLICATION OF THE TECHNIQUE TERRACING SYSTEMS 23

LOCAL APPLICATION OF THE TECHNIQUE

Technique: TERRACING SYSTEMS Local name: Andenes Site: Lake Titicaca, BOLIVIA Location Click the globe to see the techinique on Google Map Continent: South America Country: Bolivia Site: Lake Titicaca Coordinates: Lat: -15.75 Long: -68.64 Description of the local variant of the technique Terraced fields is the main technique employed in the management of steep slopes, it has the advantage of keeping erosion under control, of ensuring a better use of water, of regulating temperatures, of maintaining soil fertility, reducing damaging frost and, more generally, of allowing the cultivation of areas otherwise unsuitable for agriculture. Among the areas of interest, there are two types of Andenes: bench terraces, or Bancales, which are flat or nearly flat, and sloping terraces, or Bargones, where the natural inclination of the land is only alleviated. Regarding irrigation, the Andenes are very dependent on the level of afforestation of the catchment basin. Many Andenes, in fact, have been abandoned as a result of deforestation of the slopes above.  Today, the abandoned terraces amount at approximately 30% as it has been calculated. The main cause was the dramatic impact of the Spanish conquest on native social structures, a calamity which was subsequently worsened by the republican regime, and lasting to the present day. Survival prospects Technique at risk.  Images Deepening TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE DATA Technique TERRACING SYSTEMS Icon Cathegory B - Agriculture Identification code B1 Other Local applications of the technique RELATED TECHNIQUES C14 WATER MANAGEMENT ON TERRACED FIELDS Author: IPOGEA, www.ipogea.org Other authors: Reference: