1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

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

DESIRE (EU-DES!RE)

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

Université Mohammed V Agdal, Faculté des Lettres (Université Mohammed V Agdal, Faculté des Lettres)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

19/08/2008

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Assisted cork oak regeneration in the Sehoul forest, by acorn seeding and seedling plantation (derived from a plant nursery), involving careful husbandry and protection from grazing

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Because of the accelerated degradation of the Sehoul forest and the difficulties with natural regeneration, the Moroccan State has planned and adopted a policy, based on a global and integrated view. The preservation of forests is an important topic for socio-economic development. The National Plan for Reforestation defines the main lines of the national reforestation strategy and is the framework for the implementation of this technology.

The goal of this technology is to prepare plots where acorns should be sown or cork oak seedlings from plant nurseries planted. These test plots are guarded, maintained and watered to allow young plants to grow. Thus, cork oak regeneration ensures the continued existence and development of the forest. It conserves soil and water and fights against desertification. There are several benefits such as cork production, wood production, fodder production and better soil cover. Furthermore this technology positively impacts the socio-economic development of local populations, and services production (landscape, welfare and recreation) for urban populations.

The implementation of this technology needs the following activities: in general, good quality acorns and seedlings are required. Seedlings should come from the same region where they are planted and be certified by the authorities. An initial step in implementation is the clearing and shredding of small, woody plants. Soil preparation consists of 30 cm deep ploughing to loosen the topsoil, and to allow easier root growth. Then rows of pits are dug. Generally, it is crucial to apply correct plantation and seedling according to the season (winter), to ensure a depth of 50 cm in the planting hole, and to water copiously after planting to ensure a good contact between the soil and roots. A fence installed to protect areas from grazing is temporarily required until the trees are robust enough to cope with browsing cattle. The enclosure period usually lasts a minimum of 6 years.

The natural condition is semi-arid with precipitation ranging from 350 to 450 mm per year. The underlying geology consists of quartzite and sandstone, covered by marl. Soils are varied, but the main types are hydromorph and ferrous. Socially, the Sehoul forest is populated by poor farmers, strongly dependent on forest resources (fodder and firewood). The forest is owned by the government, but managed by local communities, who benefit from its use (marketing of cork, pharmaceutical products, charcoal, etc.). The rights of free forest exploitation for the local population are a political problem which needs to be resolved in order to achieve good forest management. Economically, the contribution of forestry to the GDP is low, but its environmental role is essential.

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:

• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Forest research initiated in 1950 and management plan.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• conserve ecosystem

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Forest ageing and degradation processes can lead to desertification
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Reforesting is positive, but resting areas are seen as negative because land users cannot access the resources during 5 to 6 years.
Plantation forestry: plantation in empty spaces and in sparse forest

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Livestock density (if relevant):

> 100 LU /km2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• forest plantation management
• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.2 m2.
Cork oak regeneration through assisted regeneration in order to ensure the continued existence of cork oak forests. This activity is still in an experimental phase.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, urban capital invested in excessive livestock, roads, unorganized tourism and leisure
Secondary causes of degradation: urbanisation and infrastructure development, land tenure (Treatment recommended fot th plots are not respected), poverty / wealth (overexploitation of forest resources), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (lack of material, equipment and financing)

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Contour planting in strips where Cistus has been removed (in order to allow more light and avoid competition for moisture)
Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase of biomass (quantity), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)
Secondary technical functions: increase of surface roughness, stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 1111
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Trees/ shrubs species: cork oak

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

dirhams

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

8.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Soil preparation, weeding	Vegetative	once in October-November
2.	Ploughing and digging planting pits	Vegetative	once in October-November
3.	Plantation and watering	Vegetative	once in October-November
4.	Fencing	Vegetative	once in October-November
5.	Reduction of density, replacement of weak / dead plants	Vegetative	Spring

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	435.0	435.0
Plant material	seeds	ha	1.0	208.25	208.25
Construction material	cultivation and weeding	ha	1.0	125.0	125.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					768.25

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding and ploughing	Vegetative	Spring and early summer
2.	Watering (first two years)	Vegetative	October-November and early spring
3.	Guarding	Vegetative	October-November

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	35.0	35.0
Construction material	cultivation and weeding	ha	1.0	125.0	125.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					160.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

If planting coincides with a dry season, it takes watering on several occasions, which makes applying the technology more expensive - Stronger fences and more supervising are required if near to habitation.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

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:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: < 0.5%
5% of the land users are rich and own 15% of the land.
80% of the land users are average wealthy and own 80% of the land.
1% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.
1% of the land users are poor.

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)

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Comments:

In Morocco, forest belongs to the State but the population has the right to perform pastoral activities, to gather wood, to collect aromatic and medicinal plants, acorns, etc.)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not 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

Comments:

Demonstration plot implemented by the government, but not applied by the local communities yet.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Improved fodder production in the long term

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Natural resources conservation and fight against desertification
Cork oak regeneration in order to ensure the existence of cork oak forests
Improve sylvo-pastoral activities
Cork production enhancement

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?
Forest users ask for subsidies in case of resting processes	Define the beneficiaries for the forest exploitation and its rules, its calendar and its rest areas by founding associations and unions
For land users, the forest potential by pastoral activities needs to be improved by seeding of palatable species	farmers must be included in the choice of implemented species

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Problems because of the high cost of this technology (about 8000 dh/ha, 1000 US$)	Costs can be reduced if population commit to respect the converted plots, even without fences and guards.
Maîtriser la charge d’équilibre dans les parcours forestiers en accord avec les paysans
Définir les ayants droits à l’usage de la forêt, et les règles de son utilisation, le calendrier d’usage, les secteurs à mettre en repos

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Project PMVB 2001, Ministère d’agriculture de Maroc