ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Keyline

Keyline is a way of planning and managing the land that we use for farming or other purposes, like building.

Imagine you are drawing a picture of a big field with a marker. When you draw a line across the picture that goes from the highest point to the lowest point, that's the keyline. It's the line that follows the contour or shape of the land.

Now let's say you want to grow some crops on this field. You would start by digging some channels or ditches along the keyline, so that water can flow easily across the land. This is called a keyline system.

Water is really important for growing crops, but if it all flows downhill too fast, then the soil will dry out and the plants won't grow well. By using a keyline system, we can make sure that water stays on the land, soaking into the soil and nourishing the crops.

Not only does a keyline system help water flow properly, it also helps to prevent erosion of the soil. This is important because if the soil washes away, then nothing will grow there anymore. By using a keyline system, we can make sure that the soil stays in place and continues to support life.

Keyline is a really smart way of managing the land we use. By following the natural contours of the land and using water wisely, we can make sure that crops grow well and that the land stays healthy for years to come.