1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

29/05/2011

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:

Closing the degraded land in order to provide enough time to regenerate by excluding from human and animal interferance.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The area is closed until the conditions are improved by revegetation and constructing structural measures. The technique is applied on steep slopes, shallow and denuded and environmentally sensetive areas.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose is to reclaim denuded land and make it productive and introduce effective use use of the land. Through stablizing the soil and regenerating of natural vegetation, helps to protect the down stream crop lands and other properties.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The initial establishment is through restricting any domestic animal and human interferance into the closed area until the land rehabilitates. Maintenance includes replanting of tree species and repair of fence and structural measures that have breached.

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:

• through projects/ external interventions

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): low level of awarness of the land users on the effect of soil erosion.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): low productivity of land

Plantation forestry: Yes

Problems / comments regarding forest use: no forest land is owned individually,

3.3 Further information about land use

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120 Longest growing period from month to month: Jun - Aug Second longest growing period in days: 45 Second longest growing period from month to month: Mar - Apr

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• area closure (stop use, support restoration)

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:

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 57.1 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities

Main causes of degradation: overgrazing, education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, poverty / wealth (lack of captial), lack of enforcement of legislat./authority

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, 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: moderate

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover

Secondary technical functions: increase of surface roughness, sediment harvesting

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 2500

Trees/ shrubs species: Acacia saligna, Casia siamea, Schinus mole

Terrace: forward sloping
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1.5m
Spacing between structures (m): 1.5m
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5m
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5m
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 6m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 50m

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.56

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	road construction	Vegetative	dry season
2.	planting	Vegetative	wet season
3.	fencing	Vegetative	dry season
4.	microbasin	Vegetative	dry season
5.	pitting	Vegetative	dry season
6.	terrace construction	Vegetative	dry season
7.	Surveying & layout	Structural	dry season
8.	digging	Structural	dry season
9.	stablizing embankment	Structural	wet season

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	13600.0	13600.0	90.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	500.0	500.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	350.0	350.0	10.0
Plant material	Seedlings	ha	1.0	5700.0	5700.0	15.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					20150.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	fence	Vegetative	dry season /annual
2.	microbasin	Vegetative	dry season /annual
3.	repitting	Vegetative	dry season /annual
4.	terrace	Vegetative	dry season /annual
5.	road	Vegetative	dry season /annual
6.	replanting	Vegetative	wet season /annual
7.	excavation of sediments	Structural	dry season/annual
8.	replanting	Structural	wet season/annual

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	ha	1.0	9350.0	9350.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	280.0	280.0	40.0
Plant material	Seedlings	ha	1.0	4380.0	4380.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					14010.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

location of nursery site from the closed area, absence of road and/or vehicle/fuel

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Moderate (50% of the area), rolling (30% of the area) and gentle (20%)

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 texture is medium (loamy, silty). Also coarse/light (ranked 2) and fine/heavy (ranked 3)
Soil fertility is medium. Also low (ranked 2) and very high (ranked 3)
Topsoil organic matter is medium (1-3%). Also low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium. Also good (ranked 2) and poor (ranked 3)
Soil water storage capacity is medium. Also low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

and own 25% of the land.
and own 60% of the land.
and own 15% of the land.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

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

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:

65% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

35% 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: they strongly belive that this technology will solve their basic problem at the community level, lsuch as fulfilling demanding of fuel wood and construction materials in short period and in increasing environmental and economical benefits in the long period.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
grasses for livestock and timber for construction
reduce runoff
increase awarness about resources conservation
understand the importance of group work

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
reduce soil erosion in the closed area How can they be sustained / enhanced? strengthen and encourage the community
satisfay the demand of fuel wood, construction material and feed How can they be sustained / enhanced? provide improved seeds and training
protect down slope land and properties How can they be sustained / enhanced? Organize experience sharing programme
increase the awarness of farmers about conservation of natural resources
encourage group work in the community

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?
un equal contribution in group work during implimentation
reduced areas for open grazing
low commitment of the community leaders

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
lack of continous supervision
lack of integration of activities
interferance of livestock in some areas
too much expectations from the government