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)

Universidad de Valencia (Universidad de Valencia) - Spain

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/06/2015

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:

Based on post-fire assessment and in areas more prone to erosion, the seedlings will provide a short term soil cover that buffers the raindrop impact and decreases soil erosion.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A wildfire is expected for the summer 2015 in the Caroig mountain range. The area was afforested by Aleppo pines during the 20th century and nowadays the landscape is composed of mature Aleppo pines at different stages of development and shrub vegetation in the understorey.

The research team of the University of Valencia will implement an experiment based on the seedling technique in order to reduce post-fire soil losses.

Purpose of the Technology: Seedlings in a post-fire environment will provide soil cover after the seed establishment, decreasing raindrops energy on soil surface and thus soil erosion.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The seeds will be obtained from greenhouse markets nearby (25 km) the research area. Festuca sp. will be used as the main species.

Natural / human environment: The Aleppo pine trees in the region are typically planted as mono-culture for wood production. The landscape reflects a long history of intense land management, with a mosaic of (semi-)natural and man-made agricultural (terraces) and afforested lands. Since the 1970´s, however, wildfires have increased dramatically in frequency and extent, driven primarily by socio-economic changes.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

• reduce impact of disasters

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): In a post-fire environment, peak runoff and soil erosion rates are expected, resulting in a decrease of on-site fertility and derived off-site effects such as loss of water quality, reservoirs water volume storage, higher risk of flooding and harm to human beings.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Loss of wood resources.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

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

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Secondary measures: management measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Monoculture plantations are prone to wildfire), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (forest fires), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Post-fire high intensity rainfalls promotes soil erosion)

Secondary causes of degradation: population pressure (Depopulation increase fire risk)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Experimental design of a seedling experience in a wildfire area.

Location: Valencia. Spain

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (Main concern deals with the selection of the suitable areas to implement the seedling.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Main concern deals with the selection of the suitable areas to implement the seedling.)

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, improvement of ground cover, increase of surface roughness, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, water harvesting / increase water supply, water spreading, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water, reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder), control of fires, reduction of dry material (fuel for wildfires), spatial arrangement and diversification of land use

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Difficult accessibility and steep slopes will increase the costs for seeding.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also steep (31-60%)

Landforms: Also hill slopes

Altitudinal zone: 650-700 meters above sea level

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: Very shallow (Leptosol) and shallow (Cambisol)

Soil fertility is medium

Soil drainage/infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is high

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Few permanent water courses in the area

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

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

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	not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

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

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 known

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It is a technology easy to apply. Main concerns deals with the area suitable for its application. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Some researchers are sensitive to use coated seeds with surfactant to improve seed establishment.

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?
The seed establishment when prolonged drought periods.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Main disadvantages deals with the seed establishment after a wildfire in the usual mediterranean summer water scarcity conditions.	The use of coated seeds with surfactant could improve seed establishment.