Soil Conservation Measures in Dali River Basin Reduce Floods Dramatically
The study analyzed the benefits of flood and sediment reduction from soil and water conservation measures in the Dali River Basin from 1970 to 2002. By using hydrology and conservation methods, researchers found that these measures significantly decreased floods and sediment discharge over the years. The reduction in floods was mainly attributed to soil and water conservation efforts, which accounted for 77.2% of the total flood reduction. Similarly, soil and water conservation methods were responsible for 75.8% of the total sediment reduction. Despite an increase in precipitation in the early 2000s, the basin continued to experience decreasing runoff and sediment levels, showcasing the effectiveness of conservation practices in reducing flood and sediment impacts.