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)

Preventing and Remediating degradation of soils in Europe through Land Care (EU-RECARE )

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

University of Padova (UNIPD) - Italy

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

17/10/2014

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Vegetated water basins for the control of diffuse pollution

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In the last 50 years high intensive monoculture practices implied an oversimplification of agro-ecosystems, a decline of biodiversity and a deterioration in the quality of water resources. The need to prevent nonpoint surface water pollution form agricultural practices has recently led to consider wetlands as effective depurative systems. Construction and maintenance of wetlands have been supported by the Veneto region as an agri-environmental measure through the Rural Development Programme (RDP).

Purpose of the Technology: Wetland systems (WSs) depurate water resources from diffuse pollution, creating a semi-natural environment that promote wildlife and generally biodiversity. WS are characterised by the complete submersion (or for most part of the year) of the soil and a slow water flow that favour environmental and natural functions such as denitrification, flood control, suspended solids sedimentation. Moreover wetlands have been proposed as an alternative land use in reclaimed areas below the sea level which are facing problems of subsidence.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Thanks to their effectiveness on the improvement of agri-ecosystems, the maintenance and creation of wetland systems have been supported by the regional government in order to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional agriculture practices. The area invested to create a wetland depends on the input pollutants, the size of the area that is considered and the availability of space. The creation of a wetland system provides the establishment of emergent and submerged aquatic macrophytes on a water basin ca. 50 cm depth. The efficacy of water depuration is strictly related to the water residence time.

Natural / human environment: Adopting wetland systems allows to achieve several environmental benefits. Generally, the ecosystem is positively affected by the introduction of a water basin as it provides food, nesting cover and shaded areas to wildlife species. Sediment deposition, anaerobic denitrification conditions and the purifying effect of aquatic plants reduce eutrophication and improve the water quality. Due to their semi-natural structure and high differentiation of plant species, WSs enhance the quality of life through the improvement of agricultural landscape and the creation of recreational areas.

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:

• during experiments/ research

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• conserve ecosystem
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Diffuse water pollution due to intensive agriculture
Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Other: Oo: Other: wastelands, deserts, glaciers, swamps, recreation areas, etc

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

Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Water supply: rainfed, full irrigation

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210 Longest growing period from month to month: March to OctoberSecond longest growing period in days: 180

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• wetland protection/ management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Specification of other structural measures: Water basin

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Bh: loss of habitats, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline, Hp: decline of surface water quality

Main causes of degradation: soil management, population pressure

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires)

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:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Plan and longitudinal view of a constructed wetland sited at the Experimental Farm of University of Padova. A-B: longitudinal section; C: pump; D: wetland inlet; E: wetland outlet; F: side bank; G: stream.

Location: Legnaro. Padova, Italy

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water

Dam/ pan/ pond
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 10
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 40

Construction material (earth): Wetland banks are made locally by soil. Dimensions refer to 1 m3 water to treat/day

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 =:

0.8

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Capital costs for land, site investigation, plants, water control, media	Structural
2.	Not available	Management

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
Other	Capital costs. System implementation	ha	1.0	2500.0	2500.0	30.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2500.0

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

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated): For agricultural use only (surface water) and good drinking water (groundwater)

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

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 use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

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

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not 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)?

Comments:

There is a need of initial investment, however wetlands can improve the multifunctionality of agricultural systems and create additional economic opportunities to the agro-ecological benefits.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The technology was supported by regional government and some farmers adopted it. However small farms (the majority in the area, just few hectares) can more difficulty adopt the technology due to a wide area required for its implementation.

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Very few adopted spontaneusly the technology

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improves surface water quality How can they be sustained / enhanced? strenghten and support maintenance activity
Increases recreational areas How can they be sustained / enhanced? Better territorial marketing
Favours biodiversity and faces the loss of habitats How can they be sustained / enhanced? Enlarge wetland areas

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Reduces crop production	Differentiate the farmers' income

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Treatment wetlands, Kadlec R.H & Wallace S.D., 2008

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Programma di sviluppo rurale per il veneto 2007-2013, Regione Veneto, 2007. Dipartimento Agricoltura e Sviluppo Rurale.