Semicircular bund explained

A semi-circular bund (also known as a demi-lune or half-moon) is a rainwater harvesting technique consisting in digging semi-lunar holes in the ground with the opening perpendicular to the flow of water.^{[1] [2]}

Background

These holes are oriented against the slope of the ground,^[3] generating a small dike in the curved area with the soil from the hole itself, so they capture the rainwater running downhills.^[4]

These structures allow water to seep into the soil, retaining in the subsoil a greater amount of moisture. But also, it prevents the loss of fertile soil.^[5]

Semi-circular bunds are used to reforest arid zones with irregular rain patterns, allowing the growth of plants and trees, such as in the Sahel.^[6]

See also

• Zaï
• Infiltration basin
• Contour plowing
• Great Green Wall
• Rainwater harvesting in the Sahel

Notes and References

1. Web site: Semi-circular bunds . United Nations. Convention to Combat Desertification.
2. Web site: Water harvesting techniques . FAO.
3. Web site: Justdiggit . Water Bunds Earth Smiles . 2024-10-20 . Justdiggit . en-US.
4. Web site: Semi-circular bunds . 2 August 2016 . Freie Universität Berlin.
5. Book: Peter . Kathuli . Itabari . J.K. . Adapting African Agriculture to Climate Change . In Situ Soil Moisture Conservation: Utilization and Management of Rainwater for Crop Production . Climate Change Management . January 2015 . 127–142 . 10.1007/978-3-319-13000-2_11 . 978-3-319-12999-0 . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312735551.
6. Web site: Page . Thomas . Greener pastures: Can ancient eco-engineering help fix our degraded landscapes? . CNN . 18 July 2022.