Development of a Rapid Assessment Framework for Carbon Sequestration Potential in Various Check Dam Designs: A Case Study from Taiwan

Soil and water loss caused by debris flows and landslides represents a common hazard in mountainous regions. Check dams, as crucial disaster prevention structures, have recently been recognized for their potential carbon sequestration benefits beyond their primary disaster mitigation function. Traditionally, these structures reduce the intensity of debris flows and landslides by promoting sediment deposition and mitigating upstream erosion. Research indicates that check dam areas demonstrate significant potential for soil organic carbon sequestration, offering a new perspective on climate change mitigation, even after reaching their sediment retention capacity while continuing to stabilize riverbeds and slopes.

Taiwan has implemented diverse check dam designs, ranging from traditional closed concrete structures to specialized types such as slit dams, notched dams, and steel pipe dams. While these designs are carefully selected based on topographical conditions, hydrological characteristics, and engineering requirements, systematic research on how different check dam types influence soil organic carbon sequestration remains limited. This study aims to develop a rapid assessment framework for evaluating carbon storage potential across various check dam designs. Our methodology encompasses three key components: first, classifying check dams based on their scale, material properties, structural types, and spatial configuration; second, employing remote sensing techniques and satellite imagery analysis to evaluate sedimentation characteristics of different check dam types; and finally, developing a universal carbon storage assessment model that integrates land use patterns and soil classification data.

To ensure model accuracy and reliability, we will conduct field surveys and sampling analyses for validation. This research seeks to provide reference guidelines for carbon sequestration benefit assessment in future check dam planning and design. Beyond addressing current literature gaps, our findings will offer new perspectives on the multiple benefits evaluation of soil and water conservation engineering in mountainous regions.

Keywords: Check dam types, Carbon sequestration, Remote sensing, Sediment retention