Technologies

Restoration on degraded duplex soils [South Africa]

Culprac, sodic soils, sodic sites, Brakkolle (Afrikaans)

technologies_964 - South Africa

Completeness: 61%

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:

Lyndon

South Africa

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Authority Board (MTPA) - 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

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Restoration of degraded grazing land.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Investigation of veld to assess situation and extent of problem, evaluating causes and making recommendations to minimise the problem.
For a large area: Take soil samples and send for analysis to determine the type of grass seeds present and to assess the chemical composition of soil.
Recommend required treatment of soil, chemical as well as mechanical and what quantitative inputs are needed.
For duplex soils the addition of gypsum (communities use manure for organic matter) is recommended. The preparation phase of the soil is very important. Add necessary components (dung, etc.) and plant the seeds. Add some rocks on top of the soil for entrapment of nutrients (nutrients and water flow are enhanced).
It is important to take the grasses from the immediate area, because it might be found that grass from another area is not adapted for the specific area.
Dactyloctenium eagyptium, Sporobulus nites, Enteropgon monostachyuns and Cynodon dactylon will be suitable for duplex soils. Digitaria eriantha will be better after the soil has improved a bit.
For branch packing (preparation of site), the branches of encroached bushes (Ghurrie bush, Acacia exofialus, nelotica) are used.
The area should be fenced off.

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

Country:

South Africa

Region/ State/ Province:

Mpumalanga & Limpopo Province

Further specification of location:

Mpumalanga

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):

0.03

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.03 km2.

Mthethomusha is a MSc project for B Samson, and Dumphries is a community driven project. In Mthethomusha there's less than 2 people/km2 and in the other none.

2.6 Date of implementation

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:
  • during experiments/ research
Comments (type of project, etc.):

From Institute for Reclamation Ecology from Potchefstroom University.

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

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
  • game, cattle
Comments:

Main animal species and products: Dumphries - cattle, Mthethomusha & Sabiesands - game

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion on lower laying duplex.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low production of grasses - seen as an example by specialist.

Ranching: Dumphries - cattle and Mthethomusha & Sabiesands - game

Grazingland comments: Large number of cattle owners, with few cattle. Rich people will do damage.

Type of grazing system comments: Large number of cattle owners, with few cattle. Rich people will do damage.

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Longest growing period in days: 180; Longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Mar

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

  • area closure (stop use, support restoration)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

management measures

management measures

  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
Comments:

Main measures: management measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures

Type of agronomic measures: manure / compost / residues, soil conditioners (lime, gypsum)

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
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

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

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wg: gully erosion / gullying

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
Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, mitigation / reduction of land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter

Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in soil fertility

Agronomic measure: re-seeding
Material/ species: Grasses
Quantity/ density: 7kg/ha

Soil conditioners (lime, gypsum)
Material/ species: CaCo3 etc

Agronomic measure: ripping
Material/ species: 6 teeth plough

Vegetative measure: re-seeding
Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Grass species: Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Sporobolus nitens, Enteropogon monostachyus, Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria e

Structural measure: bunds/banks: contour

Construction material (earth): Done by tractor

Other type of management: Looking at water flow diagrams

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Rand

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

6.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

25.00

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Selected bush clearing (if necessary) Before 1st rain
2. Ripping After 1st rain
3. Branch packing (should not exclude sunlight - 50%)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Ripping After 1st rain / Once
2. Add organic material After 1st rain / Once
3. Packing of stones After 2nd rain /

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Depending if you need fencing or not. Fencing is 50% of costs. Chemical treatment of soil is also very expensive.

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:

Summer rainfall

Agro-climatic zone
  • 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.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Gentle for Sabiesand and Dumphries and moderate for Mthethomusha

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):
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
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 is low

Topsoil organic matter: E-horizon expose in most cases

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor because there is a lot clay underneath E-horizon

Soil water storage capacity is very low in a degraded state

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • commercial/ market
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • very poor
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: > 4%

100% of the land users are rich (People from Sabie Sand).
100% of the land users are poor (Dumphries, Mthethomusha).

Off-farm income specification: Impression - not sure. Sabiesands and Mthethomusha: both eco-tourism, going well (game increasing) and Dumphries just cattle. Parks board (Sabiesands) employ people from the community.

Market orientation of production system: Subsistence (self-supply) for Dumphries and Mthethomusha and commercial / market for Sabiesands (eco-tourism)

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

Land ownership:
  • communal/ village
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

animal production

decreased
increased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Broad awareness for groups, schools, community

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

soil fertility

reduced
improved

biodiversity

diminished
enhanced

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Job creation to community
Better quality grazing available
Initially getting attention - tourism with game
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Dung available (organic matter)
Provide income - people live on land
Job creation (1 time and eco-tourism) so ongoing

How can they be sustained / enhanced? If you could do it on bigger areas it will be better
4 weeks (per ha) to implement
No maintenance (no costs)

Not depended on rainfall

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?
Mechanical problems: not ripped deep enough you can experience problems
Need input from outside
Depending on knowledge from experts - expensive - need sponsor, from Government/other.
Laws not enough, slight increase of awareness under the farmers

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

First report - 2001

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