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)

Central Asian Countries Initiative for Sustainable Land Management - Multicountry Capacity Building (CACILM - MCB) - Kyrgyzstan

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

United Nations Development Program (United Nations Development Program) - Tajikistan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

13/04/2011

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:

Saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron) bushes are planted on denuded sandy soils with the aim to reduce the rate of desertification.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

On 15 ha of denuded land, prone to wind erosion the Saxaul bush (Haloxylon ammodendron) which is native to Central Asia was planted in order to stabilise the soils and halt desertification. Over two years 25 ha of Saxaul plantation was established through natural spreading of the plant. The idea came from UNDP who also funded the purchase of seeds, fuel and fertilisers. UNDP further conducted an awareness raising campaign among local land users and members of dekhkan farms about the role of Saxaul bushes in combating land degradation and techniques of planting Saxaul plantations.

Purpose of the Technology: The Shaartuz area has repeatedly suffered from droughts, and the natural vegetation cover is highly degraded due to overexploitation for firewood. This renders the sandy soils very susceptible to wind erosion. Saxaul plantations have been widely applied in other arid areas of Central Asia to combat desertification, and were selected as an appropriate method for soil fixation around Shaartuz.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Saxaul seeds have to be collected in November, and need to be planted immediately, as otherwise they lose their viability. A tractor was used to plough the land, and the seeds were planted manually. 15 ha of plantation were planted in one single day. As they are not irrigated in this area, the Saxaul bushes are entirely dependent on winter rain and dew for their water supply. The trees grow slowly and need protection from roaming cattle. As the forestry department (leskhoz) responsible for the protection of the plantation has no guards, the project employed a local forester from the Jamoat to protect the area. Meetings were held with surrounding villages to discuss the risk of wind erosion, and the need for the plantations. Also a mobile theatre was involved in order to raise the public awareness with regards to deforestation and desertification issues. An agreement was achieved with the local residents to help protect the newly planted trees from cattle.

Natural / human environment: Saxaul plantations improve vegetation cover, and therefore also increase water infiltration into the soil and improve soil structure. Once the soil has stabilised with the help of the Saxaul bushes, other herbs and bushes will regenerate in the area, and reinforce the vegetation cover. Moreover, different wild animals and birds are already nesting in the area as the vegetation increases.

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:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

2009

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): removal of natural vegetation cover, loss of topsoil through wind erosion

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): wind erosion, droughts,

Plantation forestry: Yes

Forest products and services: nature conservation / protection

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Forests / woodlands: Fp: Plantations, afforestations

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Grazing land: Ge: Extensive grazing land

3.3 Further information about land use

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 240Longest growing period from month to month: March-October

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• windbreak/ shelterbelt
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.15 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -linear

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil, Ed: deflation and deposition, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

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

Main causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing

Secondary causes of degradation: droughts, population pressure (high demand for firewood)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

Main goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Saxaul seeds are planted in parallel rows, with 15 m spacing between each row. The interval between seeds within each row is 1m.

Location: Jura Nazarov Jamoat. Shaartuz, Khatlon

Date: 27.05.2011

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides)

Secondary technical functions: increase of infiltration, reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity)

Aligned: -linear
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 667
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 15
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Trees/ shrubs species: Saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron)

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Somoni

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

4.5

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Collect Saxaul seeds	Vegetative	November
2.	Plant seeds using tractor with automated seed planter	Vegetative	December
3.	Application of carbamide fertiliser once after planting seeds	Vegetative	December

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	Collect Saxaul seeds	Persons/day	16.0	20.0	320.0	100.0
Equipment	Tractor for seed planting	Persons/day	1.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Equipment	Fuel	ha	15.0	6.666666	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	kg	13.0	15.0	195.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	3.3	2.42424242	8.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					723.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

UNDP

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Protection of plantation from roaming cattle by local forestry employee	Vegetative	ongoing

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	Protection of plantation from cattle	ha/month	15.0	16.666667	250.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					250.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: tractor with automated seed planter

Costs for the purchase of seeds and fertilisers were calculated for one ha of plantation.
However, the costs indicated for machinery and labour regarding the seed collection and planting process are with respect to the whole plantation of 15 ha.
The costs for labour during maintenance are for the monthly salary of an employee who is needed to protect the plantation from outsiders.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

For this technology, costs are related to the use of a tractor for planting of seeds and for the purchase of seeds and fertiliser. As the plantation was implemented by the forestry agency, labour used was provided by current employees of the agency.

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 is low

Soil drainage / infiltration is good

Soil water storage capacity is very low

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated) is poor and groundwater

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Difference in the involvement of women and men: forestry agency

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

Off-farm income specification: It is not the land users who apply the technology, but forestry agency employees.

Market orientation of production system: only protection function

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state

Land 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

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	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	well

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):

NA

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: the technology was implemented by the forestry agency, not the land users

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Farmers have understood the importance of Saxaul plantations, and the role Saxaul bushes can play in combating sand drifts. There has been a trend towards growing spontaneous adoption of the technology by others.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Effective fixation of sandy soils, protecting them from wind storms and preventing erosion. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Increase plantation areas in the region
Use of native tree species which are very well adapted to arid ecosystems
Through the plantation of Saxaul, the establishment of other plant species follows on naturally.

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?
Decline of areas suitable for cattle grazing	Developing a management plan which could include restricted user rights for cattle grazing

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The plantation only has protective function, but there is no aim to introduce a sustainable management scheme which would allow for the extraction of firewood.	Develop a management plan
The area covered by the plantation is very small so the impacts might be minimal.	Increase the plantation area