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)

Universidad de Valencia (Universidad de Valencia) - Spain

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

24/03/2015

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The most commonly identified feature of no-tillage is that as much as possible of the surface residue from the previous crop and annual grasses are left intact on the surface of the ground, whether this be the flattened or standing stubble of an arable crop that has been harvested or a sprayed dense sward of grass.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In Vineyard area from Valencia (south-east Spain), the research team of the University of Valencia set up an experiment in order to test the effectiveness of non-tillage in order to keep high soil moisture levels and decrease soil water erosion.

Purpose of the Technology: The increase in ground cover that keep intact the soil structure, enhances soil superficial properties and improve water infiltration and reduces runoff and soil losses.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: No-tillage. Clearing annual grasses twice per year on peak growing season.

Natural / human environment: The landscape reflects the long history of management where several constructions related with wine production depicted its importance on this region. Since the late 1960´s, chemical agriculture by use of fertilizers and herbicides, and new vineyards plantations seasonally leave the soil surface bare, triggering huge erosion rates.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Increased runoff and soil erosion, resulting in a decrease of on-site fertility, water storage, and 'weakness' of hydrological soil properties.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Loss of soil water resources and productivity.

Natural / human environment: The landscape reflects the long history of management where several constructions related with wine production depicted its importance on this region. Since the late 1960´s, chemical agriculture by use of fertilizers and herbicides, and new vineyards plantations seasonally leave the soil surface bare, triggering huge erosion rates.

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

Purpose of the Technology: The increase in ground cover that keep intact the soil structure, enhances soil superficial properties and improve water infiltration and reduces runoff and soil losses.

Change of land use practices / intensity level: The non-tillage implies a change of land use practices. Soil structure won't be broken and soil biopores keep connected

3.3 Further information about land use

Comments:

Water supply: rainfed, mixed rainfed - irrigated

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180 Longest growing period from month to month: february to july

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, management measures

Type of agronomic measures: retaining more vegetation cover, mulching, zero tillage / no-till

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management, Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts)

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing, industrial activities and mining, urbanisation and infrastructure development, discharges (point contamination of water), release of airborne pollutants (urban/industry…), disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff), over abstraction / excessive withdrawal of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.), change in temperature, change of seasonal rainfall, wind storms / dust storms, floods, droughts, population pressure, land tenure, poverty / wealth, labour availability, inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …), education, access to knowledge and support services, war and conflicts, governance / institutional

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, water harvesting / increase water supply, water spreading, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water, reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder), control of fires, reduction of dry material (fuel for wildfires), spatial arrangement and diversification of land use

Retaining more vegetation cover
Material/ species: non-tillage keep annual grasses cover

Mulching
Material/ species: non-tillage and clearing keep soil covered

Change of land use practices / intensity level: The non-tillage implies a change of land use practices. Soil structure won't be broken and soil biopores keep connected

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Also valley floors
Altitudinal zones: 500 meters above sea level

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

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

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	not known

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local windstorm	not 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	not known

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not known

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
It decreases labour cost and use of machinery.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It is a technology easy to apply. Non-tillage implies an improvement of soil structure and soil biopores connection which is reflectected in a strong soil erosion control.