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)

Democritus University of Thrace (Democritus University of Thrace) - Greece

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

10/06/2011

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Freshwater transport from local streams for irrigation purposes, in order to replace the traditional form of irrigation (by pumping saline groundwater from wells).

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In low-lying regions suffering from overuse of the ground water for irrigation and seawater intrusion, pumping groundwater is detrimental and results in soil degradation (salinization) and reduced plant growth.

Purpose of the Technology: For this reason, freshwater is transported over distances of up to 500 m (or more) from surface streams, for irrigation using water of better quality. In this way, overexploitation of the aquifer is being reduced.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The pumps transfer water from canals or streams for irrigation purposes. A pumping station (10HP), pipes (PP-R, Ø 1100mm) for water transport and diesel or electricity for pump operation are the major items needed to replace groundwater with freshwater irrigation. However, annual maintenance of the pump and network is necessary.

Natural / human environment: The majority of families living in the research area make their living mostly from agricultural activities but also from livestock. Croplands are dominantly irrigated by wells (groundwater) and only those which are close to streams are irrigated with freshwater. Owing to over-pumping of the aquifer in order to irrigate the crop fields, there has been seawater intrusion over the past years. As a result, irrigation with groundwater led to saline soils. The group affected by this process comprises farmers who are now beginning to understand the extent of the desertification problem in the area. The degradation process significantly affects the quality of life of the local people. Saline soils lead to low productivity and thus to lower incomes (causing poverty) and thus an increase in social unrest. Although the farmers are totally aware of the on-going degradation problem that affects their fields and their livelihoods, they seem to be unwilling to change the way they irrigate their fields (with groundwater) as long as they do not have an alternative source of irrigation such as freshwater from local streams. The lack of information about how the salt-affected fields can be restored also makes the farmers believe that this situation is permanent and will extend over a wider area.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.6 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

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil salinization and sodification.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil salinization.

3.3 Further information about land use

Comments:

Water supply: mixed rainfed - irrigated, full irrigation

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 100Longest growing period from month to month: April to August

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 9.59 m2.

Areas adjacent to freshwater surface streams.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: management measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Cs: salinisation / alkalinisation

Main causes of degradation: disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (overexploitation of groundwater), over abstraction / excessive withdrawal of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.) (overexploitation of groundwater), other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers of the area, poor soil drainage), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (lack of freshwater supply network), increased pressure on groundwater for irrigation

Secondary causes of degradation: change in temperature (higher temperature), change of seasonal rainfall (reduced rainfall), droughts (climate change)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Scheme showing the SLM technology application

Location: Eastern Nestos Delta River Basin. Prefecture of Xanthi

Date: 14/03/2010

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: water spreading, replacing saline groundwater with surface freshwater, reduce pressure/overexploitation on aquifer

Secondary technical functions: improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), increase of infiltration, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater

Agronomic measure: soil desalinization
Material/ species: freshwater
Remarks: salinity leaching

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

euro

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

0.7

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	construction of irrigation network	Agronomic

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	Irrigation network	1.0	969.0	969.0	100.0
Equipment	hire of an ecavator	Irrigation network	1.0	1107.0	1107.0	100.0
Equipment	Pumping station	Irrigation network	1.0	3460.0	3460.0	100.0
Construction material	Water transport pipes	Irrigation network	1.0			100.0
Other	Diesel fuel (1 Lt)	Liter	1.0	1.4	1.4	100.0
Other	Electricity (1 Kw)	Liter	1.0	0.4	0.4	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					5537.8

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)
Life span of the irrigation network: Lifetime

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Network maintenance	Agronomic	annualy

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	Irrigation network	1.0	138.0	138.0	100.0
Equipment	Hire of an ecavator	Irrigation network	1.0	275.0	275.0	100.0
Equipment	Pumpiong station	Irrigation network	1.0	200.0	200.0	100.0
Other	diesl fuel or erlectricity	Irrigation network	1.0	1512.0	1512.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					2125.0

Comments:

The above costs are calculated on May, 2011.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Diesel or electricity price affects the final cost.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 0-100 m a.s.l. (Below 10m (plain costal region))
Landforms: Plateau/plains (Plain costal region)
Slopes on average: Flat (Plain region)

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 is low-medium
Soil drainage/infiltration is poor/none (hard-pan formation, crusting and water repellency)
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: on surface (near the coastline or/and adjucent to Nestos river), < 5 m (the rest of Nestos river basin)
Water quality (untreated) is for agricultural use only (irrigation) (Occassionaly wastewater discharges from upstrem factories)

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Coastal wetlands with high 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%

70% of the land users are average wealthy and own 80% of the land.
20% of the land users are poor.
10% of the land users are poor.

Off-farm income specification: Animal breeders or/and factories workers.

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:

• state
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not well
local windstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not known

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)?

Comments:

The benefits are obvious from the first year of application of the SLM technology and the maintenance cost is logical.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

50

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

• 90-100%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

50 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: The remaining area (50 %) is irrigated with groundwater.

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Better yield How can they be sustained / enhanced? Application of fertilizers
More income due to improved crop quality How can they be sustained / enhanced? Selection of crop type
Better future perspective for the area How can they be sustained / enhanced? Financial motives

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Increased irrigation water quality which result in better soil quality How can they be sustained / enhanced? Construction of more irrigation canals
Remediation of soils How can they be sustained / enhanced? Better drainage systems
Groundwater recharge How can they be sustained / enhanced? Construction of more irrigation canals
Improved quality/quantity of yield How can they be sustained / enhanced? Selection of the most suitable crop type
Improved livelihood of the locals How can they be sustained / enhanced? Better local products promotion

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?
Bureaucratic problems	Promotion of fast track financial programs

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Installation cost	Financial aid from government/EU
Applicable only for fields adjacent or very close to a fresh water source	Construction of canals

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Gkiougkis I. et. al. (2010) Proceedings of the 12th International Congress, Geological Society of Greece, Patras, May, 2010