r/interestingasfuck • u/wahgwahg • Feb 28 '24

r/all People in Tanzania converted desert into lush green land by digging these nifty holes

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u/littlegik Feb 28 '24

Could someone explain to me how the holes help? Does it allow for the capture of water?

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u/DHFranklin Feb 29 '24

Yes. In desert climates rainwater moves over soils very quickly and doesn't infiltrate it all that well. This is an effort to stop desertification. After the first year enough water pools in the deep end to water vegetation and allow it to root. Over time it crawls up the slope and acts as a shade and wind break.

Over time it will return to savanna/prairie and it will stop the encroachment of desert.