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

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

Jomo Kenyatta University (Jomo Kenyatta University) - Kenya

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

KARI Headquarters (KARI Headquarters) - Kenya

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

International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

18/09/2012

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A hedgerow is a line of closely spaced shrubs and tree species, planted and trained to form a barrier or to mark the boundary of an area.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A hedgerow may consist of a single species or several, typically mixed at random. In most newly planted British hedgerows, at least 60 percent of the shrubs are hawthorn, blackthorn, and (in the southwest) hazel, alone or in combination. The first two are particularly effective barriers to livestock. Other shrubs and trees used include holly, beech, oak, ash, and willow; the last three can become very tall.

Purpose of the Technology: Hedgerows have many values and functions. A diversity of hedgerow types and management on a farm is ideal. The functions of hedgerows include the following: Shelter - hedgerows provide protection for livestock and crops for up to thirty times their height, a dense base is also more effective. Flooding control –root systems of hedgerows regulate water movement and help prevent flooding. Disease control –hedgerows help prevent the spread of airborne disease. Water quality – hedgerows trap silt and soil particles, which clog up fish spawning grounds if they enter watercourses . Wildlife - hedgerows have become very important wildlife habitats in the countryside.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: New hedges should be pruned from an early stage to establish a shape and prevent leggy, unhealthy growth. The amount pruned back will depend on the type of hedge. The hedge is shaped as early as possible and tapered so that it is wider at the bottom than the top, ensuring the lower part will get the sunlight it needs for healthy growth. Once the hedge is established, regular maintenance will ensure it keeps healthy and neat. The hedge is cut by the eye , but it can be a good idea to set lines with lengths of string taut between canes. If a formal hedge has got out of shape, cutting it back severely is often the only remedy. But this method is not suitable for all species. Conifers, in particular, react badly if you cut into old wood.

Natural / human environment: Hedgerows can be very effective at preventing loss of soil from fields, either through reducing wind erosion or through acting as a barrier to water-borne run-off. This is particularly so in arable areas, both where the land is flat and prone to wind-blow and in hilly areas where loss of soil following heavy rain can be a major problem especially in places prone to gully erosion.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): High soil erosion due to both wind and runoff
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Reduced fertility due to loss of top soil
Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ct: Tree and shrub cropping

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Cropland: Ct: Tree and shrub cropping

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• windbreak/ shelterbelt

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management, land tenure

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The drawing on the left hand side shows boundary hedgerows demarcating different pieces of land.

Location: Embu North District. Eastern
Date: 2012/11/12

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…)
Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 10
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Kshs

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

100.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	establishing a contour	Vegetative	during land preparation
2.	planting seedlings of caliandra	Vegetative	at the start of construction

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	100.0	100.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	20.0	20.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings	ha	1.0	20.0	20.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					140.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	prunning	Vegetative	often

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	ha	1.0	30.0	30.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	20.0	20.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings	ha	1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					60.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

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: Medium
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: High

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

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

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

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Hedgerows prevents or cuts down wind speed, which prevents erosion
Hedgerows can act as barriers to windborne pests, and insects in the hedgerow pollinate crops, particularly bumblebees which need hedge banks.

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?
Hinder machine operation within the farms	Have designated paths where machines can close
Hedgerows can shelter pests, such as rabbits, which can damage crops.	Random inspection if they are sheltering pests and appropriate actions to be taken
Shading of the crop can cause uneven ripening and disease	Periodic trimming to prevent excess shading

7.1 Methods/ sources of information