Topography of Meri Mati Farm: Understanding the Land Before Restoration
Chapter 1 – Observing the Land, Its Natural Features and Its Challenges
When we acquired the land for Meri Mati Farm, one of the first things we needed to do was understand its topography. Before starting any major work, we wanted to observe the land carefully, explore its different features and learn how water, soil, vegetation and the surrounding landscape interacted with one another.
We knew that decisions made without understanding the land could create problems later. So, rather than rushing into construction or planting, we spent time walking across the property, observing its different corners and studying the natural features that would shape our approach.
This was the beginning of our journey towards understanding and restoring the land.
1. Understanding the Surrounding Hill and Landscape
Our land lay beneath a large surrounding hill range. As I walked from one corner of the property to another, I began to understand that the hills could play an important role in shaping the local environment.
The surrounding terrain could influence wind movement and provide some shelter from strong winds. These were our initial observations rather than measured conclusions. More importantly, the hill above our land was a significant source of rainwater flowing downhill.
Instead of seeing the hill merely as a boundary or backdrop, we began to understand it as an important part of the landscape connected to our land.
Its slopes, vegetation and natural drainage patterns could influence how water reached our property and how we would need to plan our future work.
2. Natural Water Channels and Fertile Soil Deposits
One of the most interesting features I observed was the presence of natural water channels running across the hill in different directions. During rainfall, water travelled downhill through these channels, carrying soil and other natural material with it.
At the points where water entered our land, I noticed deposits of sediment. These deposits appeared to contain fertile soil transported from higher up the hill. In some places, the accumulated material formed a fan-like deposit resembling a small delta.
This observation helped us understand that water flowing from the hill was not simply a source of runoff. It was also transporting soil and organic material from one place to another.
We repeatedly visited the site to observe where the water came from, how it entered our land and what advantages or challenges these natural flows might create.
Understanding these patterns was essential before deciding how to work with the landscape.
3. Native Trees and the Problem of Soil Erosion
While studying the hill, I noticed that many native trees had been cut back by people collecting their leaves and fruits or cutting branches. In several places, tree roots were exposed as soil had eroded from around them.
Many of these trees were old, but their branches had repeatedly been cut back to collect leaves and fruits. I was concerned about the effect of this repeated cutting on the trees and the wider landscape. Along with the exposed roots and loss of soil, these observations strengthened my resolve to protect the existing native vegetation and discourage further unnecessary cutting.
This was a serious concern. Trees help protect the soil through their roots and vegetation cover. When tree cover is repeatedly reduced and the soil around the roots is washed away, the landscape can become increasingly vulnerable to erosion.
We were concerned that, without appropriate steps to protect the vegetation and soil, more roots could become exposed and the land could lose additional topsoil.
Protecting native trees therefore became one of our priorities. We began taking steps to discourage further cutting and to encourage the preservation of the existing vegetation.
We also planned to give native tree varieties a dedicated place at Meri Mati Farm, so that preserving and encouraging local vegetation would remain an important part of our restoration journey.
For us, native trees were not simply individual plants. They were part of a larger natural system that helped hold the landscape together.
4. Nature’s Gift: Seeds Carried Down from the Hill
Another remarkable observation was that the sediment deposited near the water-entry points contained seeds from native trees.
As rainwater flowed downhill, it carried seeds along with soil and other natural material. Some of these seeds accumulated where the water slowed and deposited sediment.
This offered a natural opportunity for native vegetation to establish itself. The hill was not only sending water and soil towards our land; it was also helping transport seeds.
We saw this as a valuable feature of the landscape. Rather than relying entirely on planting everything ourselves, we could also learn from the natural processes through which vegetation spreads.
These seed deposits were a reminder that nature has its own ways of regenerating a landscape when conditions allow.
5. The Fertile Boundary and the Role of Existing Trees
The land adjoining our property also contributed to the character of the landscape. Trees growing along this boundary provided vegetation cover, and their leaves and other organic material accumulated below them.
As this material decomposes, it can contribute organic matter to the soil and support soil life. Existing trees can therefore influence the surrounding land beyond the area occupied by their trunks and branches.
We recognised the value of these trees and the natural processes associated with them. Their presence was an important part of the developing ecosystem we hoped to encourage at Meri Mati Farm.
Preserving existing vegetation and understanding how it interacted with the surrounding land became part of our broader approach to restoration.
6. Rocks, Gravel and the Uneven Character of the Land
Our land was not flat. It contained rocks, gravel, pebbles, slopes and many ups and downs. The terrain was uneven from one end to the other, and the ground had its own distinctive character.
Some people might consider such land difficult to work with, but we appreciated its natural features. The rocks and variations in elevation gave the property a character of its own.
At the same time, these features meant that we could not treat every part of the land in the same way. Its slopes, soil depth and rocky patches needed to be understood before deciding where and how different activities could take place.
We wanted to work with the features of the land rather than assume that the entire property needed to be levelled or reshaped.
7. Bare Soil, Erosion and the Need for Restoration
Despite its natural features, the land was largely bare and had suffered from soil erosion. The soil was reddish-black in colour, with a texture we appreciated, but many areas were dry and lacked sufficient vegetation cover.
We understood that the topsoil was especially valuable. It contains much of the organic matter and biological activity that support plant growth. When it is washed away, rebuilding soil fertility can be a slow process.
After repeated observations and discussions, we began making a checklist of what needed to be done and what should be avoided.
Two priorities emerged clearly: protecting native vegetation and improving the conditions that would allow the soil to retain moisture.
We recognised that water-related work would be important, but we also understood the need to protect the soil surface. Establishing grass cover was one of the first approaches we considered because vegetation can help shield the soil from direct rainfall and reduce erosion when appropriately established.
Learning from the Land Before Changing It
The topography of Meri Mati Farm taught us that land restoration should begin with observation.
The surrounding hills, natural water channels, sediment deposits, native-tree seeds, exposed roots, rocks and uneven terrain were all part of the same landscape. Each feature offered information about how the land had been shaped and what it needed.
Instead of treating these features as isolated problems, we began looking at how they were connected. Water could transport both soil and seeds. Trees could contribute organic matter and help protect the ground. Grass cover could help shield bare soil, while the contours of the land influenced the movement of water.
This understanding helped us establish the direction for our next steps. Our aim was not to force the land into a completely different form, but to learn from its natural characteristics and work towards a healthier landscape.
At Meri Mati Farm, our journey of restoration began with a simple but essential step: understanding the land before changing it.
