Traditional Model of Ziquejie Mountain Terraces in China and Scientificities on Irrigation Heritage Perspective

Abstract

Terraces are an effective and common mode of mountain agriculture. Issues such as water resource storage and drainage, structural stability, impact on the conservation of soil and water, and their adaptive and influencing mechanism to the natural and social environment are important technical engineering issues in the creation and operation of terraces creating. Moreover, these issues are also the key topics in heritage research. Covering a total area of 6,416 hectares, Ziquejie Terraces located in South China is built on hills with an altitude of 460–1,540 m and a surface slope of 25°–40°. Owing to its 1,000-year history and simple but systematic irrigation and drainage system, Ziquejie Terraces has been included in The World List of ICID Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2014 as a unique type of agricultural irrigation. A systematic analysis has been conducted on its creation, influences on the ecological environment and human society, components and characteristics of irrigation and drainage system in the terraces area, and scientific and cultural values as a heritage area. Through such analysis, a traditional pattern of mountain agricultural development has been revealed under the population pressure and mechanism of background adaptation and environment response. The creation of Ziquejie Terraces has specific natural conditions. As an example of overall planning and exploitation of water and land resources, Ziquejie Terraces reflect ancient Chinese philosophy that the simplest projects could afford the largest comprehensive benefits. The successful experiences of Ziquejie Terraces should be used as reference of modern agricultural development in mountainous areas.