Reference Watershed area (km2) Location Method Influence of land use changes Influence of check dams
Boix-Fayos et al., 2008 47.2 Rogativa catchment in Spain WaTEM/SEDEM 54% of the sediment reduction was mainly as result of reforestation. Approximately 77% of the sediment yield was trapped behind the check dams (1956-1997).
Ran et al., 2008 8651 Kuye River basin in China Data collection The reductions in sediment mass due to the check dams on Kuye and Sanchuan River Basins have been 37.2% and 72.2%, respectively, from 1970 to 1996.
4161 Sanchuan River basin in China Data collection
Xu et al., 2013 7725 Yanhe Watershed in China SWAT model The sediment yield decreased by 34.6% to 48.0% (1984-1987) and decreased by 79.4% to 85.5% (2006-2008) due to the check dams.
Polyakov et al., 2014 0.04/0.031 Santa Rita Experimental Range in the United States Field sampling Check dam retained 50% of sediment yield.
Zema et al., 2014 17.43 Fiumara Sant’Agata in Italy Field sampling Check dams reduced 2-43% of the sediment yield into the downstream areas.
Zuo et al., 2016 3246 Huangfuchuan Watershed in China SWAT model 40.6% of the sediment reduction was caused by the Grain for Green Project (1980-2005).
Quiñonero-Rubio et al., 2016 320 Upper Taibilla catchment in Spain WaTEM/SEDEM Afforestation reduced the sediment yield by 13.9% (1956-2000). Check dams reduced the sediment yield by 44.3%.
Fortugno et al., 2017 26.1 Fiumara Sant’Agata in Italy Field survey Land use changes and check dams reduced sediment yield by 30-35%.
Zhao et al., 2017 3246 Huangfuchuan Watershed in China SEDD model Afforestation reduced the sediment yield by 31.4% (1990-2006). The check dams reduced the sediment yield by 51.9%.
Li et al., 2017 3246 Huangfuchuan Watershed in China SWAT model Check dams contributed 27.7% of the sediment load reduction from 1990–1999 and 78.3% of the sediment load reduction from 2000–2012.
Fang, 2017 915 Shuangyang catchment in China WaTEM/SEDEM Over 80% of the reduction in sediment yield was caused by land use changes (1954-2010). The contribution rate of check dams was 12.7-15.4%.
Borja et al., 2018 0.002-0.047 Loreto catchment in the Andean mountains Field survey Forestation effectively reduces the sediment export. Check dams reduced more than 70% of sediment exported.
Romano et al., 2018 506 Carapelle watershed in Italy AnnAGNPS model Afforestation and construction of riparian buffer reduced sediment by more than 23%.
Shi et al., 2019 30261 Wuding River Watershed in China SWAT model The conversion of cropland to forestland or grassland decreased sediment yield by 2.9-53%. Check dams decreased sediment yield by 11.7%.
Guo et al., 2019 369 Yanwachuan watershed in China SEDD model Vegetation restoration reduced 77.55% of the sediment yield (1981-2016). Check dams reduced the sediment yield by 22.45%.
Zhou et al., 2019 42700 Qiantang River Basin in China InVEST model Urbanization and afforestation reduced 27.81% of the sediment yield (1990-2015).
Sushanth and Bhardwaj, 2019 51.4 Patiala-Ki-Rao watershed in India WEPP model Urbanization increased 48.04% of the sediment yield (2006-2016).
Aneseyee et al., 2020 1091.8 Winike watershed in Ethiopia InVEST model Urbanization and reclamation increased sediment yield by 3.45% (1988-2018).
Choukri et al., 2020 180 Tleta watershed in Morocco SWAT model The three scenarios of land use change resulted in a significant reduction of 24-37% in sediment entering the reservoir.
Sun et al., 2020 774 Zhou River Basin in China SWAT model 23-41.84% of the sediment reduction was affected by of the Grain for Green Project (1997-2016). Engineering measures (including check dams) reduced sediment load by 61.6-62.8%.