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)

University of Stellenbosch (University of Stellenbosch) - South Africa

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

United Nations Institute for Namibia (UNIN) - Namibia

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

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) - South Africa

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

06/12/1995

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:

Old motor tyres and/or vegetation along contours.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The site of Geen Einde is typical of many areas in Lebowa: a large gully approximately 200 m wide and 10 m deep in places with semi-eroded pedestals remaining. Flood waters from the mountain meanders causes further gouging of the sides of the pedestals. Tributary gullies have formed in the highly erodible soil (high clay content) adjacent to the main gully. Signs of old contour bunds indicate that the land was cultivated in the past.
1. An earth silt dam was mechanically constructed across the main erosion gully.
2. Several gabion structures were constructed in the minor gullies.
3. Vetiver grass was planted in the silt to act as nursery material for future planting.
4. Old motor tyres were laid on a level contour above the minor gullies to harvest water.
5. Several species of indigenous trees were planted in the gullies and along the rows of tyres.
6. Two Agave species, local aloes and vetiver grass were planted along level contours.
7. Agave was planted along the edges of the gullies.
8. Shallow gullies were stabilised with old tyres and Agave.
9. Couch grass (Cynodon dactylon) was planted at a few places in the gullies and along the rows of tyres.
The main reason for these actions was to reduce the water velocity.

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.):

Having read about the success achieved by placing stone barriers on a level contour in other parts of Africa, but also being aware that the process is slow and laborious and dependent on the availability of stones, the thought come to mind to use old motor tyres instead.
First in the area (my original idea).

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Severe environmental degradation (less graze cover over grazing, considerable silt in the river going into Olifants river a main resource for Kruger National Park, below gabion construction were silted up in one year (some even in one rainstorm).

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Poverty, land tenure free range for the whole community

Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Yes

Grazingland comments: The area was not fenced off at all.

Selective felling of (semi-) natural forests: Yes

Clear felling of (semi-)natural forests: one of the reason for erosion

Problems / comments regarding forest use: So far only indigenous trees have been planted, but there are many exotic species that can also be investigated. For example, the carob can be tried as a commercial crop, the mulberry as a fodder and fruit crop.

Forest products and services: fuelwood, grazing / browsing, other forest products / uses (honey, medical, etc.)

Type of grazing system comments: The area was not fenced off at all.

Constraints of settlement / urban: scattered

3.3 Further information about land use

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure
• water harvesting

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

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.1 km2.

Green Einde is a tribal area in Sekhukhuneland, which is one of the most severely degraded areas in the Northern Province. It is mainly mountainous, with numerous fertile valleys draining into the Oilfants river, one of the main rivers leading into the Kruger National Park.
Sekhukhuneland is severely degraded. A soil degradation survey done of the former Homeland, Lebowa, by satellite remote sensing in 1993, revealed that in Sekhukhuneland alone approximately 16800ha has become an erosion gully, or bare soil, with little or no vegetation.
This means that 3360 potential farmers have effectively been deprived of 5ha each.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, water harvesting / increase water supply

Secondary technical functions: increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Vegetative measure: contour
Vegetative material: O : other
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 10cm

Vegetative measure: contour
Vegetative material: O : other
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m

Vegetative measure: contour
Vegetative material: O : other
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 20cm

Vegetative measure: contour
Vegetative material: O : other

Trees/ shrubs species: Agave sisalana & Agave mexicane

Grass species: Vetiver

Other species: Acacia tortilis, Portulacaria afra

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 1.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 1.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 1.00%

Retention/infiltration ditch/pit, sediment/sand trap
Spacing between structures (m): 10-30
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 30cm
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 50cm
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 200m

Construction material (other): old motor tyres

Lateral gradient along the structure: 1%

For water harvesting: the ratio between the area where the harvested water is applied and the total area from which water is collected is: 1:30

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

Control / change of species composition

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

rand

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

6.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	transplanting Vetiver and trees	Vegetative	before rains - ongoing
2.	planting Agave	Vegetative	all year round
3.	1. placing motor tyres and earth	Structural	ok-ap (rainseason)

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	ha	1.0	83.35	83.35
Equipment	Machine use	ha	1.0	11.0	11.0
Plant material	Trees	ha	1.0	888.0	888.0
Other	tyre transport	ha	1.0	138.0	138.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1120.35

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	pruning / trimming	Vegetative	need /periodically

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The main expense is transporting the tyres which depends on the distance travelled.
It is obvious that any increase in the cost of labour will have a market impact on final costs.

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 depth on average: Also shallow

Soil fertility is low - very low

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

Soil water storage capacity is low - medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

(other income (e.g. bottle store)).

Off-farm income specification: Pension very important

Market orientation of production system: Probable, no sure if on market

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:

• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

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

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Interest is increasing.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Easy to implement and benefits from food, fuel and fodder.
Improved graze cover.
Improved trees cover.
Improved trees cover.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Capture water and sediment for growth of plants. How can they be sustained / enhanced? More of the same technology.
Improved graze cover. How can they be sustained / enhanced? More of the same technology.
Improved trees cover.
Improved water management.
Improved biodiversity.

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?
Paths may be blocked.	Put more soil on the tyres
Transport cost for tyres.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Transport costs of tyres.	Selesert sponsorship.
Tyres all over the area may be unsightly.	Cover the tyres with soil and vegetation.

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Progress Report. Feb-94.

Available from where? Costs?

C.W. Spies