Technologies

Ponds to establish micro catchments, harvest runoff water and reduce soil erosion. [South Africa]

Ponding

technologies_5801 - South Africa

Completeness: 90%

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:

Beukes Barend Otto

Living Lands

South Africa

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Rudman Justine

Living Lands

South Africa

SLM specialist:

Lunderstedt Kyra

United Nations Development Programme

South Africa

co-compiler:

Gird Justin

Baviaanskloof Hartland Bewaria/Conservancy

South Africa

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Securing multiple ecosystems benefit through SLM in the productive but degraded landscapes of South Africa (SLM)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Living Lands (Collaborations working on living landscapes) - South Africa
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Rhodes University (Rhodes University) - South Africa

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:

Semi-circular ponds are depressions constructed in the soil to harvest water, reduce runoff, increase infiltration, break soil sealing and crusting, capture organic material and seed where sheet erosion is predominant in degraded, low gradient hillslopes. The opening of the semi-circular pond is up-slope for runoff water to flow into the pond.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Ponds are applied to disturbed and degraded natural and agricultural areas that have undergone sheet erosion, sealing and crusting on slopes not exceeding 10 degrees. Ponds are constructed of semi-circular hollows dug out of the soil. Ponds are constructed either by hand (micro-ponds) or mechanically using a backhoe-loader or excavator (macro-ponds). Micro ponds are typically 1m wide, 1m long and 30cm deep at its centre, with a water holding capacity of 131 litres. Macro-ponds are typically 3m wide, 3m long and 50cm deep at its centre, with a water holding capacity of approximately 600 litres. The function of ponds is primarily to reduce surface or small rill erosions, reduce water velocity down slope and to harvest water to increase infiltration. Additionally, ponds reduce down-slope siltation of streams, wetlands, dams or reservoirs and even damage to infrastructure like low water bridges, capture seed and organic matter and provide a preferable environment for plant recruitment, particularly in arid areas. Micro-ponds are constructed by pick, to loosen the soil. Loosened soil is then removed by spade and deposited on the downward slope of the pond to form a semi-circular wall similar to that of a dam. The pond wall should be compacted with a spade to reduce breakage during flooding events. Approximately 15% of ponds exhibit broken “dam walls” after two years in extremely arid environments and are greatly dependant on vegetative recruitment. This happened mainly with micro-ponds. Follow-up repairs are advised during the first year, but not thereafter as ponds are also prone to silt up. In arid environments, ponds that do not adequately develop above ground biomass initially are prone to silting closed within three years. Siltation is also dependant on ponding density, spacing and soil type for both micro and macro ponds. The reason for this is they are bigger in size and from our experience, more effective in this arid landscape. Macro-ponds exhibit an increased rate of vegetative recruitment and biomass production, presumably due to less erosion of surface soil and soil nutrients, increased soil moisture content and water retention capacity compared to micro-ponds. Micro-ponds are typically constructed at an average rate of four (4) ponds per hour and 19 ponds per day per person. Production rates are typically 34% lower in hot summer months (2.39 ponds/hour). Macro-ponds are constructed at a rate of approximately 4.43 pond’s per machine hour. Volumetric costs are approximately 31% less expensive when constructed mechanically per litre of water holding capacity. However, large machinery can only be used in severely degraded areas and where access to the project site is available. Ponding density and spacing for micro as well as macro ponds depend on the topography of the landscape to be rehabilitated, the budged and resources available. The more dense, the more effective but also the more expensive the total operation. Some of the threats associated to constructing ponds are soil loss when pond walls break and in the case of steeper slopes may lead to the start of erosion head-cuts if not constructed appropriately. Pond inlets should be constructed at as low gradient decline as possible to reduce the probability of head-cut incision. Ponding at steeper gradients nearing 10-degree slope require particular consideration regarding spacing and density to avoid causing erosion associated to pond breakage. Staggered rows should be considered along the contour. In severely degraded areas, ponds are applied at approximately 400 micro-ponds or 100 mega-ponds per hectare. In severely degraded sites, micro-ponds are applied at approximately 250 ponds per hectare and 160 ponds per hectare in moderately degraded locations. Application rates are greatly determined by soil type and structure, slope, costs and local legislation regarding soil disturbance. Local South African environmental legislation require an Impact Assessment to be done if a certain cubic metres of soil is disturbed, even for rehabilitation purposes. In order to avoid this very costly and tedious approval process, consideration should be given to the amount of soil disturbed or moved. Caution must be taken in severely dispersive soils with regards to soil loss when flooded. Duplex soils are prone to “undercutting” and ponding on these kind of soils should be avoided. Pond depth should be considered with regards to soil water infiltration rates and saturation rate.
The effect of plant growth in and around ponds could also be accelerated or improved by brush packing if material is available in the area. If not, the cost become to high to transport material. Brush packing in the ponds further help to create a micro environment for plant growth by providing a bit of shade, nutrients from the decaying branches and also protection against grazing of newly sprouted plants within the ponds by wildlife occurring naturally in the area. Ponding in semi-arid environments are only used on natural areas, mostly used for grazing of wildlife and livestock. Ponding are usually not used on cultivated fields. Other measures like contours and waterways, vegetative strips are rather used than ponding. There are also very little cultivation happening in semi-arid areas, this project area in Baviaanskloof specifically due to low and unreliable rainfall. Since ponding provide a favourable micro environment for plant growth, grass, shrub and tree species, adaptable and endemic to the area, can be manually planted in the ponds to accelerate vegetative recovery and also to improve the biomass production and species composition in the area. This technology is applied by farmers and land rehabilitation projects. Considering the cost of ponding, it is mainly used in development and restoration projects with donor or government support. In south Africa, this technology is preferred in donor or government funded development project for job creation purposes. Lastly, ponding help reduce soil erosion, increase water infiltration and eventually working towards improve vegetation cover by establishing favourable micro habitats in and around the ponds for vegetation growth. Increased vegetation growth, especially Spekboom, reduced erosion all help to store soil organic carbon and is therefor a carbon mitigation measure as well. Ideally the whole area is withdrawn from grazing for at least 3 years to allow revegation to happen.

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:

South Africa

Region/ State/ Province:

Eastern Cape Province

Further specification of location:

Baviaanskloof

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):

6.0

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

Nee

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2019

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

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

GEF 5 Securing multiple ecosystem services through SLM in the degraded but productive landscapes of South Africa. In the described project area, ponding was done mainly through project intervention and also since other projects had great success with the technology in similar landscapes.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • mitigate climate change and its impacts

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Nee


Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
Animal type:
  • goats
  • mules and asses
  • sheep
  • wildlife - large herbivours
Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Nee

Unproductive land

Unproductive land

Specify:

Degraded rangelands

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

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)
Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Nee

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
Animal type:
  • goats
  • mules and asses
  • sheep
  • wildlife - large herbivours
Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Nee

Products and services:
  • meat
  • skins/ hides
  • whool
Unproductive land

Unproductive land

Specify:

Degraded rangelands

Comments:

The change in land use could be potentially from degraded rangeland to more productive rangeland. In this case study, the land is still on its way towards improved productivity, and therefore not utilised at this stage by any livestock.

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

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • water harvesting
  • ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
  • V5: Others
structural measures

structural measures

  • S4: Level ditches, pits
  • S7: Water harvesting/ supply/ irrigation equipment
management measures

management measures

  • M1: Change of land use type
  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
Comments:

V5: Packing brush on top of ponds greatly increases vegetative recruitment and survival rates, survival rate of regenerating plants (from seeds or stocks in the soil) and of intentionally newly seeded plants?

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
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction
  • Pk: slaking and crusting
  • Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
  • Bh: loss of habitats
  • Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
  • Hs: change in quantity of surface water
  • Hg: change in groundwater/aquifer level
  • Hp: decline of surface water quality
  • Hw: reduction of the buffering capacity of wetland areas

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
  • adapt to land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The technical drawing on the left shows the measurements of a typical average micro-pond. Its about 1m wide on the upstream (open) end and about 1m to the semi-circular edge wall on the downstream side. The pond should be dug out with a spade at an angle of 15 degrees towards the wall of the pond at the downstream end. Use the removed soil to form the semi-circular edge wall as illustrated on the left hand drawing. Use the spade or your feet to compact the soil of the semi-circular wall.
The drawing on the right illustrates the pond arrangement along a slope. The ponds should be staggered in lines across the contour to make sure the water flowing between ponds in the first line, flows into the ponds in the second line or row. The ponds don't need to be exactly in lines across the contour, but it is very important that the pond openings are perpendicular to the slope direction and form an appearance of fish scales.

Author:

Kyra Lunderstedt

Date:

08/07/2020

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:

600 ha

other/ national currency (specify):

South African Rand

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

15.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

ZAR 150 - ZAR 262

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Terrain inspection and pecking out pond positions and lines Any time of the year
2. Manual digging of micro-ponds Any time of the year
3. Seeding of ponds (Optional) Before or at start of rain season
4. Brush packing if material is available Any time of the year
5. Inspection and maintenance of ponds During the rainy season, especially after heavy thunderstorms
Comments:

Mainly micro-ponds were used in the area. Macro-ponds where tested for comparison purposes. Equipment needed for macro-ponds Volvo BL61 Backhoe-loader (Vehicle and operator = ZAR 300/hour, Fuel = ZAR 75/hour).

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Manual digging of micro-ponds Person-days 1677.0 215.0 360555.0 0.0
Equipment Spade Number 24.0 250.0 6000.0 0.0
Equipment Pick Number 24.0 350.0 8400.0 0.0
Plant material Grass seeds 25 kg bags 10.0 250.0 2500.0
Other Transport km 15960.0 6.2 98952.0 0.0
Other Staff overheads Per person day 1677.0 76.0 127452.0 0.0
Other Management Per field day 399.0 438.0 174762.0 0.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 778621.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 51908.07
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Living Lands NGO working in the Baviaanskloof. In certain cases, depending on availability of external inputs, farmers could contribute by providing labour for example or use there own tools or transport for workers.

Comments:

Donor funding through the United Nations Development Programme, Global Environmental Facility (GEF 5)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Restructuring of broken ponds (S) After heavy rain event
2. Densification (S) (More ponds are dug when needed After rain event and assessment of effective functioning and impact
3. Supplementary seeding (V) Dependant on species seasonality
4. Brush-packing After ponding to increase plant recruitment & survival

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

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

25000.0

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

Living Lands NGO working in the Baviaanskloof

Comments:

Donor funding through the United Nations Development Programme, Global Environmental Facility (GEF 5)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

For manually constructed ponds: Climatic conditions, particularly heat. Productivity (labour) is approximately 34% greater in the cooler winter months (April-October) and reduce during summer months with regular temperatures above 30°C. The activity is generally stopped when temperatures exceed 32°C. Soil structure (Clay, Sand and rock proportions particularly) effect production rate and longevity. High rock content and dense silt and clay soils reduce productivity (rate at which ponds are dug manually).
When constructing ponds mechanically, soil structure appears to have the greatest effect on production rates.

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
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

280.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

: 60% summer rainfall, 40% winter rainfall. Thunder storms in summer deposit large quantities at once (>50mm/occasion). 67% standard deviation around mean across 100 years recorded. Peak rainfall September and March, but no predictable long term or annual patterns. Less than half mean annual rainfall per year from 2015-2019 during analysed implementation period. March and April are the only months that have not experienced zero rainfall over a 100-year period. Approximately 30 days per annum are frost prone in the implementation area

Agro-climatic zone
  • arid

PET effects do not exceed 10mm of effective rainfall per month. Approximately 43mm of rainfall per annum is effective

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:

Less than 10 degree (17%) slope

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)
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
  • low (<1%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Water quality refers to:

surface water

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Ja

Regularity:

frequently

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Soil water saturation occurs after 10 to 20 mm of rainfall. Runoff occurs rapidly. River and tributaries are predominantly dry, excepting upwellings and springs, and only flow after prolonged or severe rain events

5.5 Biodiversity

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

The Baviaanskloof region is specifically rich in biodiversity with a wide range of habitat units. Degradation has lead to low levels of diversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • commercial/ market
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
  • cooperative
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • youth
  • middle-aged

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)?
  • small-scale
  • medium-scale

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

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

Ja

Specify:

Land tenure is communal, many beneficiaries but one title deed. Shared water from common sources. Water use rights associated to title deeds

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
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

fodder production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Increased soil moisture content and prolonged retention

fodder quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

General biomass increase, pioneer species variable

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Increased biomass on previously sealed and crusted soils

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Slight increased production and maintenance.

Water availability and quality

water availability for livestock

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Increased infiltration, groundwater and surface water

Income and costs

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

Increased rangeland quality

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Consequences of overgrazing and subsequent erosion

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Reduction in runoff and siltation

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Improved capture of surface runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

5%

Quantity after SLM:

11.5%

Comments/ specify:

Gravametric soil moisture content increase (n=320; randomized pond vs control). The initial decrease is by cultivating soils to build the ponds

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Significant increase of fractional green canopy cover

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Decreased sheet erosion

soil accumulation

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Soil accumulation in the ponds

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Localized

soil compaction

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Localized

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Localized

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Localized

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity after SLM:

400%

Comments/ specify:

Insect diversity

Other ecological impacts

Plant recruitment

Comments/ specify:

Increase woody and herbaceous seedling recruitment

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Positive effect, reduced runoff

downstream siltation

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Positive effect, reduced siltation

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 increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase moderately
annual rainfall decrease moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm very well
local thunderstorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave well
drought moderately
land fire not known
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not well at all
flash flood not well

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:

slightly positive

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

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • > 50%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

600 ha

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?

Ja

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:
  • climatic change/ extremes
Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Packing with thorn brush from pruned pioneer trees (Vachelia karoo), planting of trees (Portulacaria afra) and seeding (Predominantly grass spp.)

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
It creates employment opportunities for unskilled labourers
Plants return to barren areas
Increased grazing capacity for small stock
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is simple and extremely adaptable to ecological and economic variables through changes in density and dimension
The technology is relatively inexpensive and effective
The technology is relatively risk free when applied within application criteria

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?
Production rates are slow, labourers require access to land to construct ponds for extended periods of time Use larger labour forces to complete areas faster
Ponds are slow to revegetate in drought conditions Seeding and brush-packing increase recruitment and survival rates
Unwanted pioneer weedy species may recruit and outcompete slower growing desired species Seeding with or planting preferable pioneer species
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Ponds may silt up before recruiting new vegetation, particularly during heavy rain events and is highly dispersive soils Apply more stringent site selection criteria based on climatic and soil conditions. Adjust pond size and density to reduce rate of siltation

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

3 postgraduate research students

  • interviews with land users

6 land owners

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

4 workshops

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

2019

Comments:

Data compiled between 2016 and 2019

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

•Caring for Natural Rangelands, Ken Coetzee, University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2005, ISBN:1869140710, 9781869140717, 129 pages.

Available from where? Costs?

ZAR 129

Title, author, year, ISBN:

•De Abraeu,, P. 2011. Unpublished thesis. The effect of rehabilitation on ecosystem services in the semi-arid Succulent Karoo lowlands of the Little Karoo, South Africa. University of Cape Town, South Africa

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.pcu.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/192/de%20abreu%202010.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Just dig it

URL:

www.justdigit.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXWVC3RKmb8

Title/ description:

Greener Land

URL:

http://www.greener.land/index.php/product/demi-lunes-semi-circular-bunds/

Title/ description:

Living Lands

URL:

www.livinglands.co.za https://youtu.be/BmhWMqEu-oU?list=PL4dQ3giQTjAxtMON61PFvLSIqrM7Xq_Jy

Title/ description:

Common Land

URL:

www.commonland.co.za

Title/ description:

•Environmental Monitoring Group

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjGScyyexvSqQVkJXtuat6w

Title/ description:

•UNDP GEF5 South Africa

URL:

https://www.za.undp.org/content/south_africa/en/home/operations/projects/environment_https://www.za.undp.org/content/south_africa/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/securing-multiple-ecosystems-benefit-through-sustainable-land-ma.htmland

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