1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Integrated Biodiversity Management, South Caucasus (IBiS)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

31/10/2018

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

The unsustainable use of pastures and forest areas leads to erosion, degradation, desertification and loss of biodiversity in high mountain areas of the South Caucasus. In the village Ehen in the Ismayilli district in Azerbaijan, a community-based approach for erosion control was developed in a participative way. Together with village stakeholders, different measures were developed to stop erosive processes, flooding and to rehabilitate vegetation cover.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan togehter witht the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) selected integrated erosion control as a priority in their cooperation and the district Ismayilli was choosen for the implementation of pilot activities.
The district Ismayilli covers an area of about 2.158 km². Approximately 31% of the territory is covered with forest. Pasture lands on slopes are particularly exposed to vegetation degradation due to overgrazing. The loss of a closed vegetation cover on mountain slopes can lead to severe soil erosion due to surface water runoff. The project team together with the district administration decided to set the focus on the village Ehen near Lahic.

The approach chosen for integrated erosion control in Ehen was a community-based approach. Together with stakeholders, the most severe erosion sites were identified, and a list of priorities was developed. In cooperation with international experts, different technologies and practices were developed to stop erosion processes. Several preconditions for the development of a number of practices were set: The technologies should be cost-effective and affordable for the villagers, and the villagers should be able to use them without the use of external technicians. In order to achieve this, particular emphasis was placed on the application of bio-engineering measures. Measures were applied on degraded pasture lands and erosion gullies in the pilot community at the south slope of the Great Caucasus.

As a first step, the implementation sites were determined through joint field visits by village representatives and experts ('Screening mission'). In the first face the GIZ-team and the SLM-experts have been introduced to the village community. In this phase, the national GIZ project coordinator had the major role to create a basis of respect and trust to enable a positive athomisphere for an open minded discussion. The driving factors of deforestation and overgrazing were discussed in the field, and the potential intervention sites were marked with colour spray and wooden poles in the field. The marking in the field instead of only working with printed maps was very important for the recognition, discussion and acceptance of the sites by all villagers. There was a gap of several weeks between marking and implementation, which provided enough time for internal discussion about the site selection and the adaptation of boundaries.

Nine degraded pastures and forest land sites were selected by the village stakeholders togehter witht the SLM specialists. Four sites are located above the village with the risk of increasing rockfall and flooding by surface water runoff. Five sites are located below the village and were selected to ensure the productivity of the land. For providing tree seedlings, a local tree nursery was established near the school (10th site). One site was selected to combine effects by establishing a hazelnut plantation to stop erosion, increase vegetation cover and provide an income generation opportunity.
Two sites with gully erosion were selected: a site above the village with the risk of flooding into the village and a site below the village along the road with a high risk of road damage if the deepening process continues (detailed instructions on measures can be found at the internet links attached).
Regular meetings took place between the traditional administrative community board, the GIZ-project team and the SLM experts to discuss the implementation process and to evaluate together the results. The availability of local resources was taken into consideration to adapt technologies to fit the local needs. New ideas, localy available materials and technologies have beein integrated into the implementation process by the local stakeholders.
The implementation of the measures was done mainly by the local village people and local experts. The SLM experts provided 'hands-on-training' and all materials that were not available in the village as well external experts were financed by the project.

Another essential aspect is the sustainable use of well-managed meadows by different stakeholders (beekeepers, wild herb collectors, orchard owners and others) in the community. This includes the agreement (rule) of the community to share the protected pastures and to consider the needs of all interest groups. The decission of the profit sharing is taken by the taditional administrative community board. A further factor was the establishment of a tree nursery, which led to an increased motivation to plant additional trees (especially fruit trees) in the community.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

Develop erosion control measures that can be implemented by village population without significant investment. The measures are addressed to rehabilitate vegetation on eroded sites and to slow down water speed and erosive energy where gullies already exist. This should help protect roads and other infrastructure as well as stop soil loss and increase overall productivity.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	none	The selection of Ismayilli district was done at Ministry level. The selection of the villages was done with district administration and experts assessment of erosion problems.
planning	interactive	The site selection was done with local village stakeholders. The technical planning was done by external experts. Four additional municipalities were assessed for hazelnut plantations where local land users provided data.
implementation	interactive	Local stakeholders trained on bioengineering measures. The following measures were applied during hands-on training: 1. Wooden check-dam. 2. Gabion check-dam. 3. Willow-fascines. 4. Electric-Fencing. 5.Pile walls. 6.Drip irrigation system.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	An external monitoring team (project team) did the monitoring in a participative way. The observations and monitoring results were discussed with the village stakeholders.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

The integrated erosion control measures were developed by SLM specialists, while site selection and prioritization were done in conjunction with village community representatives.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• research findings
• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Ja

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

Only men have been involved in the training of the application of the erosion control measures.

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• demonstration areas

Subjects covered:

Construction of willow fascines, pill walls, wooden check dams, gabion check dams, tree planting, fence construction (electric fence, mesh wire fence), construction and maintenance of drip irrigation system.

Comments:

In addition to the on-the-job training, an Austrian study tour was provided for Georgian participants. The focus of the joint study tour was to enable a direct experience of current practices in the Alps giving the participants an impression how the issue of land management and erosion control is handled in mountainous areas of Austria.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Ja

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

The field trip provided advice and training on afforestation and tree species selection.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local
• regional
• national

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

The implementation capacity of line ministries, their subordinate bodies and of training institutions regarding the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services is improved. The regional exchange on sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystem services is improved.

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

Give further details:

Capacities in project planning, implementation and monitoring have been developed. Awareness raising on erosion-caused land degradation and effective, cost-efficient erosion control measures have been applied.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Ja

Comments:

In 2018, monitoring was carried out on the implemented measures in order to assess if additional interventions would be required or if measures had been damaged. Permanent monitoring plots have been established to assess the rehabilitation of vegetation.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Ja

Comments:

Monitoring reports have been provided by field experts (Azeri) and international experts (English) and are available from GIZ IBiS office.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Nee

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

Indicate the annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach in US$:

100.00

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

In the framework of the GIZ-program “Integrated Biodiversity Management, South Caucasus” (2015-2019), implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
the amount covers: fencing, electric fensing, hay, pile walls, afforestation, wooden check dams, gabion check dams, other materials and labour on the sites of Ehen.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Land users were provided materials for erosion control measures and tree nursery. The timber for the pile walls, the mesh wire fence and the electric fencing material as well as well as tanks for rain water collection (for the tree nursery) and irrigation equipment was provided. The local stakeholders provided man power for the mainance of fences and irrigation system and maintaining the tree nursery for free. Workpower for setting up infrastructures like gabions or chech damms was paid.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• labour

• agricultural

• construction

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• rewarded with other material support

Comments:

Fruit trees and walnut trees have been contributed by the project for the afforestation on site 1 near the village.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Nee

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify:

For the implementation of the pilot measures in Ehen, material and payment for labour was provided. There have been some follow up activities in neighboring villages where only the material was provided, as the work was done voluntarily.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

Local stakeholders trained on building and applying measures. The measures (fencing, pile walls, wooden and gabion check dams) are low-cost and can easily be replicated by village stakeholders. Only the drip irrigation system and electric fencing for the hazelnut orchard needs high investment and might not be up-scaled without external support.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The integration of local stakeholders in the selection of measures and sites helped to address the most 'urgent' problems from the villagers view.
It was important to have visual results from the work in a short time. Especially the reduction of flooding was a very positive result as well as the increased number of flowering plants which led to an increase of honey and tea production, which created additional income. Some of the trained techniques have been already transferred by villagers to neighbouring communities.
Most of the beneficiaries see the hazelnut plantation area as a potential source of income in the future and at the same time as a useful measurement for rehabilitation of the biodiversity and measure against erosion. Land users see the implementation of the measures on the site as contribution to the future tourism perspective of the village.
The pilot measure is cost-efficient and affordable for local people. It has a positive ratio of cost/benefit.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Measures are easily implemented and materials (mesh wire, willows, seedlings) are available locally.
The measures are showing significant impacts in a short time. The rehabilitation of vegetation and the gathering of sediments halting gully deepening is already visible in the first year after implementation.
As there is still enough pasture land available and the areas of intervention have been implemented on degraded land, there was no major conflict with shepherds and farmers.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Low capacity of the municipality was limiting to the management of the drip irrigation and the electric fence.	Handing over the hazelnut orchard to a private cooperative could increase ownership and personal involvement of local stakeholders in orchard maintenance. A long-term business plan and financing model needs to be developed if the approach is to be up-scaled.
Current electric fence of hazelnut plantation is not efficient in protecting area from free roaming animals. It also reflects on the inefficiency of the overseer`s working time, as he spends entire working hours on the controlling the fence which reduces his time on spending on the additional activities like controlling plant growth and irrigation system.	Changing electrical fence to the ordinary mesh fence or wire fence.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Because of a general ban on forest management, the timber used for pile walls and wooden check dams cannot be extracted from the local forest.	Timber and logs have to be bought from foreign markets. An adaptation of laws on the legal extraction of local timber for certain purpose would be helpful.
Hazel needs more than 750 mm annual precipitation. Humidity above 60% in June and July is beneficial. A strong wind is a danger for young trees. Ehen has 500-700m precipitation and significant summer drought.	A drip irrigation system was applied to overcome summer drought in the first couple of years until seedlings have established a sufficient root system to access water from deeper soil layers.
The electric fencing and the drip irrigation for the hazelnut plantation and fruit tree plantations above the village need expensive investment and specific skills for mounting and maintenance.	Project investment was used for pilot measures as a demonstration site. The hazelnut orchard can show a positive return on investment within 10-15 years if managed well.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Planning meetings, site visit and stakeholder meeting, Hanns Kirchmeir, Azerbaijan 2017.

Available from where? Costs?

Report based on field vists

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Hazelnut plantations on eroded sites in Ismayilli, Hanns Kirchmeir, 2017

Available from where? Costs?

Concept based on surveys and field visits

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Synthesis Report on Erosion control measures 2014-2017

URL:

https://biodivers-southcaucasus.org/uploads/files/5b8655b3db452.pdf

Title/ description:

Handbook on Integrated Erosion Control

URL:

http://116.203.245.69/uploads/files/IEC%20Handbook_EN.pdf