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Technologies
Inactive

Muret [Cape Verde]

Muretos, Arretos

technologies_1572 - Cape Verde

Completeness: 76%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Varela Larissa

larissavarela@hotmail.com

INIDA

Praia

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
INIDA (INIDA) - Cape Verde

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Small walls of stone built on hillsides with slopes generally greater than 40%, second-level curves, which ensures a good infiltration and contributes to reducing the erosive power of water runoff.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Are usually constructed of stone with a height of 80 to 90 cm and width of 40 to 50 cm and a foundation of 30 cm, usually built on hillsides with slopes greater than 40%. The space between two consecutive Muret varies between six (6) and 15 (fifteen) meters depending on slope, type of soil and plant cover and frequency of rainfall. Top Order capture water runoff by encouraging the development of plant species. When complemented by banquets and entertainment channels to facilitate drainage of surface water to the adjacent lines. Also this technique can be complemented with vegetative measures.

This technique is used mainly for agricultural land in rain with the aim of protecting slopes from erosion, and to practice the culture of Canjanus cajan and other forage species.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Cape Verde

Region/ State/ Province:

Ribeira Seca

Further specification of location:

S. Lourenço; S. Domingos; Picos; S. Cruz

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

  • Agroforestry
  • Agro-silvopastoralism
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Loss of soil by water runoff, reducing its thickness and fertility
Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Yes
Ranching: Yes
Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90, Longest growing period from month to month: Aug - Oct

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • agroforestry
  • cross-slope measure

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 71.5 km2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

structural measures

  • S5: Dams, pans, ponds
  • S6: Walls, barriers, palisades, fences

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
  • Wo: offsite degradation effects
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
  • Hs: change in quantity of surface water
  • Hq: decline of groundwater quality
Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Inappropriate use of many areas), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Cultivation of maize and groundnut in areas unsuitable especially in highly inclined slopes), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Cutting of trees for firewood production), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Chuvas irregulares, de pouca duração mas de grande intesidade na maioria das vezes), droughts, poverty / wealth (A pobreza conduz à falta de conhecimento, e a necessidade de um meio de sustento que poderá ser qualquer recurso com mercado), education, access to knowledge and support services (A good education and awareness to help consumers and new opportunities for livelihood for the owners.)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), overgrazing, population pressure (Large population densities lead to over-exploitation of limited resources)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Jailson Bentub

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Muret built on land with slopes of 50% with a espassamento of 10 m.

Location: São Jorge dos Órgãos. Cabo Verde

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (But he must understand the technique and its benefits, he may be to implement it by advice from a specialist.)
Technical knowledge required for land users: high (Should be well briefed)

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap
Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard

Wall/ barrier
Vertical interval between structures (m): 5
Spacing between structures (m): 10
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.9
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.4
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 100

Construction material (stone): structure made of stone, so this feature should be in place
Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 50%
Lateral gradient along the structure: 0.3%

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

ECV

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

80.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

5.94

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Excavation Structural
2. Foundation Structural
3. Elevation Structural

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour ha 1.0 11718.0 11718.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 236.0 236.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 11954.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 3 month(s)

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor; slope.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:


Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid
  • semi-arid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility: Low (ranked 1) and medium (ranked 2)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Medium (ranked 1) and good (ranked 2)
Soil water storage capacity: Low (ranked 1, skeletal soils with low storage capacity) and medium (ranked 2)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: Also >50m (ranked 2)
Availability of surface water: Medium (ranked 1, Often through galleries, springs, wells and dams) and poor/none (ranked 2)

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • mechanized/ motorized
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2
Annual population growth: > 4% (0.5%).
80% of the land users are average wealthy (50%).
3% of the land users are poor (1%).

Level of mechanization: Manual work (Ranked 1, often through galleries, springs, wells and dams) and mechanized (ranked 2, use of tractor in some plots)

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • leased
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

production area

decreased
increased
Income and costs

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

By implementing this technique it contributes to the increase of yield and consequently to that of the livelihoods of the benefited populations.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased

water quality

decreased
increased

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered
recharge
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil loss

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm well

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Muret are effective in the stabilization of slopes.
Improving significantly the infiltration of rain water especially when complemented with vegetative measures.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Relatively expensive and laborious process.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Técnica de Conservação de Solos e Água em Cabo Verde, MPAR &CILSS, 1994

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Conservação de Solos e Água (Teoria e Prática), Sabino, António Advino, 1991

Available from where? Costs?

Library of CFA - INIDA

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Field Trip Guid - DESIRA , INIDA, Cape Verde, 2008

Available from where? Costs?

Library of INIDA

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Relatório de Avaliação Inicial Do Impacto das Realizações de Conservvação de Solos e Água em 1993 do PROJECTO WDP, WARD, 1995

Available from where? Costs?

Library of INIDA

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