A contour is a flat line across a slope at the same level. Water runs down a slope crossing contour.
Farmers can use contour to design systems that…
–Slow water and protect against erosion in the wet season
–Harvest nutrients and soil that has eroded from higher slopes
–Keep more water in the soil for plants in the dry season.
–Hold water for plants or animals that love water (e.g. rice, taro, fish, eels, ducks, etc).