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)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CSE (CSE) - Senegal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

19/08/2009

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A traditional agroforestry parkland with scattered trees beneficial for soil properties (e.g. Faidherbia albida) or providing food for human beings and cattle (e.g. Sclerocarya birrea)

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Between scattered trees of which some were carefully selected for their positive influence on soil properties, either millet (Pennisetum typhoides), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) or watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) are grown in rotation. The dominant tree species are Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida), Sclerocarya birrea, Sterculia setigera and Combretum glutinosum. Some of the species were introduced from elsewhere and planted by land users when they settled in the area. Other species regenerated naturally in the fields and were protected till they reached mature age. F. albida sheds it's leaves at the beginning of the rainy season increasing soil nutrient stock for the cultivation period and reducing competition with crops for light. Sclerocarya birrea is widely appreciated by cattle for it's nutritious fruits. Cattle resting in the shade of the large trees provide free organic manure. Mulching and manure application are common means to improve soil organic matter and nutrient content in this remote area where access to inorganic fertilizers is very limited due to inaccessibility.

Purpose of the Technology: The main objectives of this parkland system are to enhance crop production through improvement of soil properties with the help of trees, the provision of supplementary food for cattle in the form of fruits and the availability of certain plants (or parts of them) for traditional medicine.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The technology has a long tradition in more southern regions of Sénégal and was brought to the Ferlo by Wolof people that moved to this zone in the search for cultivable area. Knowledge is transferred from parents to their children. Except for the purchase of seeds for cultivation of the fields there is no financial inputs required for this system.

Natural / human environment: This SLM technology site is located in the sylvopastoral region of the Ferlo in the north of Sénégal. The agro-climatic zone is classified as semi-arid with mean annual precipitation of 300-400 mm. Rainfed agriculture under agroforestry parkland in a belt around the main village is the main landuse type in the area. In a second circle, extensive pastoralism is practiced and forest resources are being exploited. Presence of insects and wild animals (monkeys, warthogs) damaging cultures and the lack of sufficient rainfall are main constraints mentioned by landusers in the area. Degradation of vegetation cover is widespread. The bare soils are prone to wind erosion, a common phenomenon in the area, carrying away the arable soil horizon and causing a decline in soil fertility. In general, the local population has signaled a decline of land degradation due to the widely practiced tradition of SLM technologies.

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:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

introduced from the more southern parts of Sénégal by Wolof farmers

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): deforestation, wind erosion causing loss of topsoil

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): rain insufficience and presence of insect pests

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: 120 Longest growing period from month to month: Jul-Oct

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

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:

• 0.1-1 km2

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, manure / compost / residues

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Bh: loss of habitats, Bq: quantity / biomass decline

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (due to domestic uses), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing (oversized herds of cattle), droughts, population pressure, poverty / wealth (poverty)

Secondary causes of degradation: education, access to knowledge and support services

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…)

Secondary technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity)

Mulching
Material/ species: plant residues after harvest

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: manure from cattle faeces

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 8

Trees/ shrubs species: Faidherbia albida, Sclerocarya birrea, Sterculia setigera, Piliostigma reticulata, Balanties aegypti

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	selection or planting of trees	Vegetative
2.	removal of unwanted tree species	Vegetative

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
Plant material	Seeds		1.0	1.68	1.68	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1.68

Comments:

Lifespan of the product: 1 season (120 days)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	application of manure and mulching	Agronomic
2.	sowing of millet / groundnut	Agronomic	june

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

Comments:

No cost is involved with organic manure as it can be obtained by giving nomadic Fula herders the right to let their cattle rest in the shade under the trees or feed on plant residues

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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: High
Soil drainage / infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: High

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 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 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
30% of the land users are average wealthy.
70% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: livestock raising
Level of mechanization: Animal traction (by horse)

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, not titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not known

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	well

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

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

16

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

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: the technology is already being practiced by the whole population of this village

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
increased crop production How can they be sustained / enhanced? protect trees in fields
increased availability of fruits for humans and cattle How can they be sustained / enhanced? protection of trees producing fruits appreciated by humans or cattle
increased availability of plant products used in traditional medicine How can they be sustained / enhanced? protection of trees providing these products

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
increase of soil fertility and organic matter through trees How can they be sustained / enhanced? encourage further plantation or natural regeneration of tree species beneficial for soil properties
no costs involved with maintenance of technology
carbon storage below and aboveground How can they be sustained / enhanced? increase tree density

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?
loss of cultivable area due to trees in field

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
natural regeneration practically absent, continuity of parkland threatened	tree planting or assisted natural regeneration if present