Which landscape practice helps prevent erosion on slopes during heavy rainfall?

• A. Use terraces or benches and stabilize with groundcovers.
• B. Remove all vegetation.
• C. Increase slope angle.
• D. Irrigate continuously to wash away erosion.

Answer: (A)

When rainfall hits slopes, fast surface runoff can detach and carry soil. Terracing or benches break a long slope into shorter, flatter segments, which slows water flow and gives more time for infiltration. Stabilizing these benches with groundcovers adds a protective leaf and root layer: leaves intercept raindrops to reduce their impact, and roots bind the soil to resist being washed away. Together, this approach reduces water velocity, increases soil stability, and cuts the energy available to erode soil during heavy rain. The other options would either remove protection (no vegetation), make the slope more prone to runoff by steepening it, or add more water energy (continuous irrigation), all of which increase erosion risk.