The Water Harvesting in Microcatchments for Alleviation Water Scarcity Arid Areas

In most arid and semi-arid regions، because of over-pumping from groundwater and irregular use of river and other reservoirs، planting trees and vegetation cover have been facing difficulties. Therefore، the use of other water resources like rainwater and floodwaters in recent decades has been taken into consideration in these decades. Traditional methods and techniques for water harvesting in most arid and semi-arid regions have been applied for many years، i. e. methods such as rainwater harvesting، floodwater harvesting، fog and dew harvesting، using Qanat and specific wells. Using these methods of water irrigation through microcatchment systems enables us to improve and rehabilitate desert areas and arid and semi-arid regions. This paper will discuss in detail the application of microcatchments for water harvesting for growth of olive trees in the east of the Golestan province. Results of survival of olive planted in microcatchment systems showed t a different significance in one percent level in comparison with general conditions and control. The amount of olive seedlings survival is 100%; but planting olive seedlings in the usual method and without water harvesting system under a water scarcity condition could not be established.