Technologies

Community Land Use Planning in Arkhiloskalo [Georgia]

technologies_5762 - Georgia

Completeness: 86%

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:
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Applying Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) for mitigating land degradation and contributing to poverty reduction in rural area (L-SLM Project)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus) - Georgia

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes  (LDN-TPP) for sustainable agriculture and rural development
approaches

Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes (LDN-TPP) … [Georgia]

In the framework of the project ‘Generating Economic and Environmental Benefits from Sustainable Land Management for Vulnerable Rural Communities of Georgia’, Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes (LDN-TPP) were developed to implement the LDN targets at municipal level. The approach defines the process to break down global and international …

  • Compiler: Daniel Zollner

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Unsustainable land use practices, such as deforestation, overgrazing and improper agricultural management systems are triggering the loss and degradation of valuable land resources in Georgia. Land use planning is one of the measures among others to contribute to support the integration of good Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) principles and practices into national policy and institutional framework to ensure the adoption of economically viable practices by rural communities. This technology is demonstrated in an application in Arkhiloskalo community in Eastern Georgia.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The globally ongoing degradation of land resources is threatening our food security and functioning ecosystem services. Therefore, restoration of degraded land as defined by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 15.3) has become a strategic objective of the UNCCD. To achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), action on the national level is needed. Georgia is one of the 113 countries (as of Sept. 2017) willing to take part in the Target Setting Program (TSP).
One of the major problems which Georgia is facing today is an absence of a comprehensive and integrated approach in the land management sector. In addition, an irrelevant legal framework sometimes leads to additional “conflicts” with the evolved national strategy and policy packages.
The land-use planning in the village of Arkhiloskalo, Dedoplistskaro Municipality is one of the pilot activities linked to LDN (Land Degradation Neutrality). The project financed by Global Environment Facility (GEF) / UN Environment Programm (UNEP) was implemented by local partner REC Caucasus (The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus) through E.C.O. Institute of Ecology (Austria).
The land-use plan documents the status quo of the current land use. It is a baseline that can be used to steer and monitor future developments. The land-use plan is based on field assessments made in summer 2019 and builds a baseline for future assessments/monitoring. The land-use plan on the village level helps to break down national LDN targets to the local level. The plan and the development of land-use scenarios help to anticipate the future gains and losses of land resources and reflect the national LDN-target on the local level. Local stakeholders can identify areas of degradation risk and areas which can be rehabilitated. The Arkhiloskalo land-use plan contributes to sustainable land use by recognizing the current situation of land use and its spatial distribution as well as identifying the strength and weaknesses of the current situation.

Methodology:
Mapping for Arkhiloskalo land use plan: The mapping result is a detailed documentation of size and spatial distribution of land cover categories. Change in land cover is an important indicator to monitor the loss and gains of land resources according to the LDN monitoring concept.
For the mapping of the settlements, arable land and gardens, maps from Google Earth and digital cadastre of parcels were used. In the field maps, each polygon has an assigned Map-ID number, which is unique for each village. Polygons with the same land use category and land-use intensity can have the same Map-ID. Next to the drawing of the polygon on the map, in a field form each polygon is described by:
- Map-ID;
- Current Land use category;
- Current Land-use intensity;
- Remark (a specification of the polygon if needed).

Classifications of land use categories: The land-use classification is based on the CLC - Corine Land Classification System (The CORINE Land Cover is a vector map with a scale of 1:10 000, a minimum cartographic unit (MCU) of 100 m². It maps homogeneous landscape patterns). The Corine Land Classification system classifies urban fabric, mine, dump and construction sites, arable land, permanent crops, pastures, forests, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation associations, Open spaces with little or no vegetation, inland wetlands and waters.
The pastureland was differentiated into different productivity classes. In the field three classes of vegetation cover and species composition: low, medium, and high productivity were assessed.
For the mapping in Arkhiloskalo the following land use categories were selected: Settlements and human infrastructure (Code from the Corine Land Classification system – e.g. SHR, name – e.g. Houses); Forests and shrub-land; Agricultural managed land; Natural and semi-natural habitats.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Georgia

Region/ State/ Province:

Kakheti

Further specification of location:

The Village of Arkhiloskalo is locted in the Municipality of Dedoplitskaro.

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

49.7

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 10-100 km2
Comments:

The village Arkhiloskalo covers an area of 4,970 ha. The area ranges from the lower section in the North 250 m (Alasani river valley) up to 730 m at the ridge and then falls again to the South in the Shiraki Valley to 600 m.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2018

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The land-use plan approach is one of the measures among others to contribute to support the integration of good Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) principles and practices into national policy and institutional framework to ensure the adoption of economically viable practices by rural communities. This was a GEF-funded project.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Ja

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Agroforestry

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - wheat (spring)
  • cereals - wheat (winter)
  • oilseed crops - sunflower, rapeseed, other
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • fruits, other
  • grapes
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

summer

Is intercropping practiced?

Nee

Is crop rotation practiced?

Nee

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
Intensive grazing/ fodder production:
  • Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing
  • Improved pastures
Animal type:
  • cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)
Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Nee

Species:

cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)

Count:

982

Settlements, infrastructure

Settlements, infrastructure

  • Settlements, buildings
  • Traffic: roads, railways
Comments:

All form of land cover and land use forms have been mapped.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • windbreak/ shelterbelt
  • rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
  • waste management/ waste water management
  • Land use planning

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

management measures

management measures

  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
  • M7: Others
Comments:

The land use planning started with mapping of current land use and included stakeholders input on strength and weaknesses. Based on this, development scenarios have been developed to change current land use approaches to a more sustainable way (e.g. restoration of windbreaks, crop rotation etc.)

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
Comments:

The loss of windbreaks caused an increased exposure of topsoil to wind erosion on fields with annual crops. The land use plan helps to quantify the current state of the windbreaks and underlines their functional importance.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Key stages of implementation:

The land-use planning in the village of Arkhiloskalo, Dedoplistskaro Municipality is one of the pilot activities linked to LDN.
Together with the local stakeholders, a land-use plan has been worked out. The procedure of defining a spatial development plan for a municipality goes along three stages:
• Stage 1: Gather background information & implement pre-design studies and development of a mapping concept
• Stage 2: Information of local stakeholders on this activity and implementation of an SWOT analysis (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) related to the land use of the village
• Stage 3: Mapping and analyzing the current land use
• Stage 4: Preparation of a draft land use plan
• Stage 5: Reflection of the draft land use plan with local stakeholders
• Stage 6: Preparation of the final land use plan

Author:

Hanns Kirchmeir

Date:

16/01/2020

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Absolute area sizes. The largest land use category is arable land (3,014 ha) followed by closed and open shrubland (515 ha and 483 ha, respectively). Vineyards cover a total of 447 ha whereas windbreaks cover 178 ha. Pastures with low productivity (104 ha) and roads and parking areas (102 ha) use almost the same amount of land. Other infrastructure covers 44 ha of land. Orchards, fruit trees and berry-culture use 21 ha of land. Closed deciduous forest (17 ha) covers only a few more hectares than pastures (13 ha). Houses are the most common plot category in Arkhiloskalo but use only around 13 ha of land which puts them on the same land-use level as pastures. Dumpsites (9 ha) use more than twice the area of closed coniferous forest (4 ha). Hay meadows and rivers cover around 2 ha of the area.

Author:

Hanns Kirchmeir

Date:

20/11/2019

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Map of current land-use categories in Arkhiloskalo. The land-use classification in this approach is based on the Corine Land Classification System. It was split into sub-categories where needed to meet the needs of local land use practices.

Author:

Hanns Kirchmeir

Date:

13/11/2019

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Based on the different land use, 4 different zones have been separated:
•Zone A: Steep North Slope
•Zone B. Settlement Area
•Zone C: Zone of perennial Crops
•Zone D: Zone of annual Crops

Author:

Hanns Kirchmeir

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

50 km²

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

national expert 100 USD

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Gather background information & implement pre-design studies and development of a mapping concept Winter/spring
2. Information of local stakeholders on this activity and implementation of an SWOT analysis (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) related to the land use of the village Spring
3. Mapping and analyzing the current land use Summer
4. Preparation of a draft land use plan Autumn/Winter
5. Reflection of the draft land use plan with local stakeholders Autumn/Winter
6. Preparation of the final land use plan Autumn/Winter

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

15000.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

REC-Caucasus, GEF-funded Project

Comments:

The budget is $ 15 000 / per year. This amount includes the salaries of following expert, such as: National expert on SLM, National expert on LUP, International expert on SLM, International expert on LUP, Botanist, GIS expert. Also the above budget includes travels and missions in three municipalities, workshops in Akhmeta and Dedoplistskaro municipalities, workshops and public hearings in selected local communities (Arkhiloskalo and Shenako),

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The field work of mapping and analysis of results took a lot of time as well as the stakeholder meetings.

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:

The driest month is January, with 25 mm of rainfall. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in June, with an average of 108 mm. The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month is 83 mm.

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Dedoplistskaro Met. Station

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

The climate is warm and temperate in Dedoplistskaro. The average annual temperature in Dedoplistskaro is 11.3 °C. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 22.7 °C. The lowest average temperatures in the year occur in January, when it is around 0.1 °C.

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.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant
Comments and further specifications on topography:

The pastures are located on steep hill slope to the north, while the village and arable lands are located on the gently south facing terrace.

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Water quality refers to:

ground water

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Habitat diversity:
  • high
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Especially the semi-natural landscapes of the slopes to the north are of high habitat and species diversity.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The village is very remote. Driving distance to the municipality is about 1h on bad roads.

5.7 Average area of land used 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
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • medium-scale

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

Land ownership:
  • communal/ village
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Ja

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • 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
Comments/ specify:

Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

product diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

Income and costs

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Improvements by training and workshops, awareness raising.

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Reduced grazing in zone A (north slope) will increase the vegetation cover. Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Reduced grazing in zone A (north slope) will increase the cover of shrubs and trees which will lead to increase of biomass. Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Diversification of land use and restoration of windbreaks will increase habitat diversity. Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Improvement of windbreaks will reduce wind speed and topoil erosion. Effects will be visible based on the implementation of selected development scenario provided by Land use plan.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Removal of uncontrolled dump sites will reduce groundwater and river pollution especially in the Alasani floodplain north of the community.

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

The rehabilitation of windbreaks will have a positive impact on neighboring fields.

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

Comments:

The technology of land use planning is not sensitive to climate change but is an appropriate technology to adapt land use to future anticipated climate changes.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

negative

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Comments:

The land use planning process is an investment in future developments. Return of investment can be expected in oncoming years. The mapping result is a detailed documentation of size and spatial distribution land cover categories. Change in land cover is an important indicator to monitor the loss and gains according to the LDN monitoring concept. The land-use plan is based on field assessments made in summer 2019 and built a baseline for future change assessments as it includes data on land-use intensity which will enable to consider change in time dynamics and to monitor changes on the ground.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • single cases/ experimental
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

It was implemented as show case for one community

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The majority of the land users in village Arkhiloskalo have been using the same land and natural resources through decades and have good understanding of the natural conditions and climate change perspectives of the target area. The land use plan, the scenario development and the knowledge exchange in the workshops are have been considered as advantage for awareness raising, joint decision making and to start a positive change in short-term period.
The successful land-use system with improved environment conditions and benefit to the local farmers can lead to be a perfect example for the whole municipality of Dedoplistskaro as most part of its territory is agricultural land in semi-arid environment facing some rapid and significant challenges caused by climate change.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The land use plan will help to optimize the management and to eliminate present challenges in the 4 separate zones and promote improved sustainable land- use, land-management practices like crop rotation and re-establishment of windbreaks.
The land-use plan helps to identify the strength, opportunities, weaknesses and threats and contribute to sustainable land-use and its management. E.g.: in the Zone A, Steep North Slope there is a high risk, that the waste in the dumpsites will be washed down in an uncontrolled manner into the natural and semi-natural habitats of the slope. The waste is partly burned and the wash out of toxic solute can harm nature and ground water.
Application of the technology helps to optimize management measures, which will reduce costs and labour forces, e.g., by increasing productivity of land and productivity of vineyards in the Zone C: zone of perennial crops.
The land-use map integrates climate mitigation. E.g. it helps to plan the re-establishment of the windbreaks, which significantly contributes to the reduction of wind erosion in the Zone D: Zone of annual crops.
The terrestrial evaluation of the current land use can also serve to evaluate remote sensing technologies for semi-automatic classification of land cover categories.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Lack of dialogue and trust could be one of the risks to succeed with the introduction of advanced methods of sustainable land management. The proposed sustainable land-use practices and pilot activities should be planned in a way to have results on the ground in a short-term period to keep local farmers motivated.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Risks: Land use plan Interest of farmers, guesthouse providers and local residents are conflicting. This can be limited by good facilitation of focus group discussions between different stakeholder groups.
Local actors (farmers, guest house providers ...) are not interested in participating in the joint land-use planning process. It will need a well-coordinated communication design to include all the local stakeholders in the process of practical and theoretical introduction to the principles of sustainable land-use. The communication should emphasize potential economic benefits to the local households together with advantages of the sustainability. This can be a key factor to get most of the local stakeholders engaged with the proposed sustainable land-use practices.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

2 days of joint field visit of the project team, 2 weeks of field-mapping of the national expert.

  • interviews with land users

About 44 participants in workshops and 12 people interviewed.

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

2 specialists

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

1 international expert and 3 national experts have been conducted for the feedback on the report.

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

12/08/2018

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Pilot project on land degradation neutrality in Georgia: Final Report.2017.Huber, M., Joseph, A., Kirchmeir, H., Ghambashidze, G.

Available from where? Costs?

https://e-c-o.at/files/publications/downloads/D00813_ECO_policy_brief_LDN_Georgia_171025.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Applying Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) for mitigating land degradation and contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas: Final report. 2017. Kirchmeir, H., Joseph, A., Huber, M.

Available from where? Costs?

Request at RECC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

limatologies at high resolution for the earth’s land surface areas. Sci. Data 4:170122 doi: 10.1038/sdata.2017. Karger, D. N. Conrad, O., Böhner, J., Kawohl, T., Kreft, H., Soria-Auza, R.W., Zimmermann, N.E., Linder H.P. & Kessler M.

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.nature.com/articles/sdata2017122

7.4 General comments

It was not easy to consider the land use planning either to be a technology or an approach. Finally, we submitted as an approach.

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