Benefit Analyses of Soil and Water Conservation: A Case Study in a Hilly Red Soil Area in Southeast China

Abstract

Eight measures of soil and water conservation(SWC) have successfully carried out for developing sustainable agriculture systems in hilly red soil region in southeast China since 2000. Economical, ecological and social benefits are assessed in this study to determine efficiency of these measures. All measures have shown a positive net present value of direct benefits in the computing period when an interest rate 10% used. And an evaluation system for comparing efficiencies of these measures have been built, indictors such us economical effects, payback period time, changes in soil erosion rates, nutrient content, microclimate, and social benefits are recommended. Forest enclosure, embankments, and biomass pools are the most economically measures with a short payback period while low efficiency forest reform, fruit trees planting and shifting slope to terrace measures had remarkable effects on reducing soil erosion and protecting soil and water resource, pear trees can be replaced by other cash crops to avoid long payback period.