In the BC Gulf Islands and the uses for Hügelkultur are multifold.
They create soil. The islands were wiped clean by glaciers and the depth of soil for many of us is pretty shallow. Hügelkultur is first and foremost a soil manufacturing facility.
They clean up yards. In the coastal rainforest, wood debris is everywhere. Clean it up and more will come. Trees fall in windstorms, and often are too punky for firewood. Yard fires are problematic for many reasons, climate change, air quality, etc... I have multiple mounds on my property, and additional ones on friends properties. Whenever someone complains about what to do with their grass cutting, leaves, tree debris I offer to take it and add it too one of my projects.
Uneven soil helps with storm runoff. The most damaging water is fast moving water. Building berms interferes with water, keeps it in place and allows it to go into the ground and the water table. Hugel wood is also a sponge that can wick up the water.
Logs full of winter water are moisture for the summer months. Our climate change is basically 10% wetter in winter and 10% dryer in the summer. Water in a hugel mound is like water in a barrel, maybe better.
Hügelkultur captures carbon. Burying carbon (logs) under ground increases the time and the steps it take for it to reach the atmosphere. As the soil systems expand it also increases the odds that carbon will remain sequestered in the ground.
And like many things outdoors they are fun.
