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)

SPC of Forest Facility (SPC of Forest Facility) - Kazakhstan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/12/2003

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:

Technology of fastening Aral Sea's drained bottom's soil

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Planting of the saplings on the lots of the dried seabed of the Aral Sea was done in holes and uninterrupted furrows, which were formed by hands or cultivated KON – 2.8 PM . Depth of holes and furrows is 20-25 cm. Distance between holes was 1.5-2 m. Furrows were perpendicular to the prevailing winds (west-east) and placing mould in several options: 1 – moulds on both sides; 2 – the same from the southern side of a furrow; 3 – the same from the northern side. Furrows alternated with holes rows. Length of rows variants in repetition was 100 m. Saplings were filled up by hands or in rows in 1-2 meters, distance between rows was 2-2.5 meters. For the last 30 years Aral Sea level is falling and in 2001 it fell by 20 meters. More over 35 thousands sq. km of sea bottom came to the surface. Pace of falling during the last ten years is 0.9-0.8 meters per year according to the instrumental observations, that’s why area of dry land increases by 3-4 thousand sq. km annually.
Formation of moving sand dunes with the height of 2-5 meters, which move at the speed 20-30 meters per year in the southern and south-eastern direction, occurs on the area of more over 10 thousand sq. km. Width of dune ridges and ranges achieves 10-15 km and length up to 40-60 km. Ecosystems of brackish waste grounds lacking flora, difficult to traverse and dangerous were formed non the area 20 thousand sq. km of the former sea bottom. They are the source of dust-salt material to the major oasis agriculture in the delta of Syrdaria River.

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Was developed by kazakh - investigation institute of forest facility (1996-2001)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): exudative salinization, forming of the salty ring on the surface, lov percent of natural overgroving.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): rarely distribution of the bush-trees and presence of bared heathlands, which makes territory useful for land-use.

Grazingland comments: private sector of peasanting and farming predominate

Clear felling of (semi-)natural forests: stocking up for fuel, every year

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Degradation of saxaul and tugay forests in result of desertification processes: subsoil waters level reduction, deflation, poverty of population. Constant reorganization of forest facilities.

Forest products and services: fuelwood, grazing / browsing, nature conservation / protection

Type of grazing system comments: private sector of peasanting and farming predominate

Constraints of infrastructure network (roads, railways, pipe lines, power lines)

Constraints of wastelands / deserts / glaciers / swamps

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 208; Longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Oct

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

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

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:

• 1-10 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 4 m2.

only 2% from 35000 sq.km of Aral sea's drained bottom

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Secondary measures: structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: cover cropping, breaking compacted topsoil

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -against wind

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (agricultural causes - Excessive water-fence on an irrigation from the rivers Syrdarya and Amurdarya.)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (High wind activity in region (prevalence of winds with a speed up to 5 min/sec).)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Fragment of accommodation grooves on district with appeared self-sowing saxaul

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, improvement of soil structure

Cover cropping
Material/ species: saxsaul
Quantity/ density: 150
Remarks: protective planting

Breaking compacted topsoil
Remarks: breaking salturing up before planting by layout

Aligned: -against wind
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 150
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1,5-2,0
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 30-35

Trees/ shrubs species: saxsaul, combseller

Structural measure: sediment sand / trap
Vertical interval between structures (m): 3
Spacing between structures (m): 2
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0,5
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0,7
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0,7
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0,5
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0,7
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 100

Construction material (earth): fine-grained sand

Construction material (wood): saxsaul

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• US Dollars

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	groove cutting	Vegetative	summer
2.	slips planting	Vegetative	spring, autumn
3.	groove cutting	Structural	summer
4.	creating traps for sand	Structural	after planting

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	Traps for sand, cutting and planting	persons/day	3.0	15.0	45.0	66.0
Equipment	Others	ha	1.0	20.0	20.0	29.0
Plant material	Others	ha	1.0	125.0	125.0	83.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					190.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	groove cutting	Agronomic	spring, autumn / every year
2.	slips planting	Agronomic	spring, autumn / every year

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

Comments:

saxsaul planting in the 100m * 100m. Sized beared heathlands due to enclosed SWC circuit

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

transportation of technique to the work place and gooves cutting

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Weak inclined primary -sea plain

Landforms: It is complicated with accumulative forms of colian relief

Altitudinal zone: 36 - 51 m a.s.l.

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 depth on average: Soils were not formed yet, horizons are absent

Topsoil organic matter: 0,19%-0,24%

Soil fertility is low with 0,24% of humus

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor in suclay, medium for clay and good loam-sandy and sandy soils

Soil water storage capacity is low - very low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: negative

10% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
60% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: catche fish grow vegetable - melon cultures and realizate them

Market orientation of production system: Firewood stocking and raise of forage capasity.

Level of mechanization: Using shovel for manual labour and tractor MTZ-30 for mechanised labour.

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

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

• 1-10%

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

13 households covering 1 percent of stated area

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

• 10-50%

Comments:

10 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: small farmer's economical vell-being improves

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
forest territory are restoring How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxaul communities life
soil deflation's speed and temps decrease How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxaul communities life
microclimate conditions increase How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxaul communities life

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
forests area and output of fuel increase How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxauls plantings life (40-50) years
field-dust carrying out is prevented How can they be sustained / enhanced? during communities vitual activity
environmental and sanitary-epidemiological contitions improves How can they be sustained / enhanced? during technology SWC existence
Additional work places are created How can they be sustained / enhanced? in period technology SWC application

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?
absence of enough qvantity of enough quantity of technique	by means of cooperative association of facilities

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
high rent payment for technique	additional purchase of the mechanised means
Low interest of local social institutions	to pay big attention for ecological education

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

"to study process of overgroving and to develop offers on assistance to natural reneval of saxaul black on the grounds of Aral Sea's naked bottom"

Available from where? Costs?

RGP,SPC of forest facility. Kirov str.,58 city Schuchinsk, Akmola region