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)

Catastrophic shifts in drylands (EU-CASCADE)

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

University of Basilicata - Italy

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

27/06/2014

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:

CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES TO KEEP WILD BOAR OFF PASTURE LAND

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

ẗhe regulations implemented by the Pollino national park to protect the wild fauna have led to large numbers of wild boar in the local area. Numbers of wild boar have also increased because of breeding with non-native species (a Hungarian strain) on the part of hunting associations. Numbers have increased so much that currently these animals have even reached rural areas destined for pasture, livestock farming and cultivation. To protect crops and pastures more fences have been built. Typically these fences are constructed out of pales made from local wood and galvanised iron netting.

Purpose of the Technology: Protection of pasture land and cropland

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The construction of fences requires an initial investment in order to buy the wooden pales and iron netting. Generally the pales come from local woods, often from the farm itself, and are felled and prepared by local farmers who also usually construct the fences themselves. The height of the fences ranges from 1m to 1.20

Natural / human environment: Production methods are characterised by a medium level of mechanisation (only the most demanding operations are carried out using mechanical means), the production system is essentially mixed, a small part is destined for personal consumption whilst the bulk of production is destined for local markets. The property is predominantly privately owned but also includes some public land, especially in the case of pasture land. Most farms in the area are livestock farms whilst the agricultural component is destined exclusively for private consumption. The area is partially included in two bordered national parks, i.e. Pollino national park and val d’agri national park. This peculiar situation creates a very natural environment allowing the presence of many wild species.

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:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The wild boar tend to dig into the ground in search of food and, in doing so, leave soil open to processes of erosion and permanently degrade grass cover.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Severe damage to grass cover and crops
Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Shepherds use the area for summer grazing and move downhill in winter
Mixed: (eg agro-pastoralism, silvo-pastoralism): A reduced number of farmers cultivate their field for fodder and pastures
Grazingland comments: Sheep and goats are the most valuable livestock
Type of grazing system comments: Sheep and goats are the most valuable livestock

3.3 Further information about land use

Comments:

Water supply: rainfed, mixed rainfed - irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: march to august

Livestock density (if relevant):

> 100 LU /km2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• Protection of pasture land and cropland from wildlife

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

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bq: quantity / biomass decline, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Pc: compaction, Bh: loss of habitats

Main causes of degradation: increase and spreading of wild boars

Secondary causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (Introduction of wild boars by hunting associations), governance / institutional (Excessive protection of the species by the National park)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of biomass (quantity)

Structural measure: FENCES
Spacing between structures (m): 1pale/1.33m

Construction material (wood): Pales in wood

Construction material (other): Iron net (1 meter high)

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

euro

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

0.74

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Wood pales and network	Structural	every 20 years
2.	wood pales	Structural
3.	Iron net	Structural

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	Wood pales and network	1000m	1.0	5000.0	5000.0	100.0
Construction material	Wood pales	Pales	750.0	4.4144	3310.8	100.0
Construction material	Iron net	1000 meter	1.0	5405.4	5405.4	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					13716.2

Comments:

Lifespan of the wood pales and network: 20 years

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Checking fence for repairs	Structural	6 times a year

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	Checking fence for repairs	Day	1.0	81.08	81.08	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					81.08

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The total cost for the construction of 1,000 metres of fencing is spread over a period of 20 years on the basis of the duration of the structure

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 medium-low
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water is medium (minimum during month of September and October)

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
Difference in the involvement of women and men: active farmers are present only males; women are not actively involved in land management
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: negative; 2%
and own 90% of the land.
and own 10% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: Most of the off farm income derives from public sector, i.e. Municipality, Mountain Community, Region and other public bodies. Very few farmer members run local shops or handcraft.

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
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

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)

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	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

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:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: support by the national park

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
If the National Park of Pollino would also support activities to prevent damage caused by wild boar instead of focusing solely on the conservation of wild local species (boar). How can they be sustained / enhanced? Greater economic support for the building of fences.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology helps preserve pastures and protects against damage to crops How can they be sustained / enhanced? If the National Park of Pollino would also support activities to prevent damage caused by wild boar instead of focusing solely on the conservation of wild local species (boar).

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?
Disadvantage solely related to high cost of construction.	More subsidies

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The only disadvantage is the high initial cost of building fences which is, however, partly mitigated by the possibility to use the fences also as boundary marker dividing one property from another.