Terracing is one of the oldest means for saving water and soil in Syria. This study
aims to evaluate the bench terraces efficiency in water and soil conservation in Salata
Village (30 km southeast of Lattakia). For this purpose, runoff and soil ero
sion were
estimated and compared between two treatments in one selected field, the first represent a
part of slope without terrace "witness", the second represents terraces "two adjacent plots
with terraces" Where three experimental plots, each one of 50 m2 were used for the
measurement of surface runoff and sediment concentration.
The study showed low values of runoff coefficient on "terraces" treatment compared
to the "witness", where its average value during the study period was 7.2% for "terraces",
and 27% for the "witness". As it turns out the low rate of soil loss during the same period,
from 79 t/ ha/year for the "witness" to 5.2 t/ ha/yeardown the "terraces".
The study confirmed the importance of terraces in water and soil conservation by
limiting soil erosion and reducing surface runoff.
