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)

Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)

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

Swiss Red Cross (Swiss Red Cross) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Comments:

Vetiver grass is not native, it comes from Asia. However, it is not problematic since it is a non-invasive species (as confirmed by observation of places where it has been grown for over 100 years).

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Live hedges are rows of perennial plants, eg. vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) or izote (Yucca sp.), with dense growth and deep roots, planted on terraced curves in order to control erosion and preserve water. The plant can be used as medicine or fodder (vetiver) or food (izote flower).

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Department of Olancho is a rainforest located in Cordillera Central and Sierra de Agalta, at an average altitude of 1500 masl. In spite of having large protected areas, the agricultural frontier (agriculture and livestock) is being expanded mainly by large landowners and, to a lesser degree, by peasants. This change in land-use also involves burning, a practice that furthers soil degradation. The Department of Olancho is frequently affected by tropical storms and hurricanes from the Atlantic. This combination of frequent and intense natural phenomena, the level of susceptibility and inadequate use of natural resources, generally causes significant damage and even the loss of human lives.
Terraced curved live hedges are grown on unstable slopes and those tending towards erosion and instability. Vetiver has proven effective in stabilizing slopes. It is a perennial grass that is highly adaptable to a broad variety of conditions. Though it can grow in degraded soils, and in dry or humid conditions, it requires sun and does not do well in the shade. Vetiver roots can grow over 3 meters and intertwine tightly.
Vetiver is palanted in densly clustered rows on terraced curves. Thus, it protects the slope by reducing the speed of surface rainwater run-off; it also enables water to filter into the ground and reduces soil erosion; further, it acts as a filter and retains sediment. Good management of live hedges results in the gradual formation of terraces. Terraced curved live hedges are frequently combined with other bioengineering technologies, such as draining trenches or terracing. For more information on implementing live hedges with vetiver grass, see the technical drawing. If the hedges are planted during the summer, these need to be watered every three days; the plant grows on their own during the winter. The space between the grass rows can be used to grow vegetables, since nutrients accumulate here. The hedges must be trimmed to 50 cm every two months to strengthen them. All empty spaces along the hedges have to be filled. Also, it is important to weed the hedges. Sprouts can be used to plant new hedges.
Izote (Yucca Gigantea flowers) or pineapple (Ananas comosus) may be used instead of vetiver. Izote can be planted in dense rows or at a distance of up to 30 cm. Additional measures can be used to enhance effectiveness according to the slope, such as planting bushes behind the izote plants. Pineapples are planted at a distance of 30-50 centimeters. Though it does not have deep roots, it does grow densely. Pineapples are frequently planted in hedges growing close to homes or schools, because vetiver grass tends to attract rodents and snakes.
In this case study, live hedges of vetiver grass on terraced curves have been implemented through the Honduran/Swiss Red Cross Project “Resiliencia”. This project aims at providing sustainable support to enhance resilience in all rural regions in Olancho, and to help reduce risks of disasters and to promote health at all levels (home, community, municipality). Bioengineering works are implemented in critical areas according to risk assessments.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

2012

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Comments:

Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) or izote (Yucca sp.)

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Lempiras

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

23.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Clean the land
2.	Bring hedge plants (vetiver) to site
3.	Define terraced curves using A-frame level tool
4.	Loosen soil with shovel and pike
5.	Plant vetiver, in groups of 2-3 every 15 cm	preferably during winter (rainy season)

Comments:

Izote and pineaple are planted 30 - 40 cm apart

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Trained labor	person day	0.5	200.0	100.0
Labour	Untrained labor	person day	24.0	150.0	3600.0	100.0
Equipment	shovel, pike	pieces	12.0	2.0	24.0	100.0
Equipment	A-frame level tool	piece	1.0	5.0	5.0
Plant material	Vetiver	meter	1250.0	5.0	6250.0	50.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					9979.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					433.87

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

Honduran / Swiss Red Cross

Comments:

Costs were estimated for largest area (1250 linear meters). Smaller areas require less untrained labor and plants.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weed control
2.	Fill empty spaces along the hedge
3.	Trim vetiver hedge to 50 cm to ensure density	Every two months

4.6 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	Untrained labor	person half-day	20.0	150.0	3000.0	100.0
Equipment	Trimming garden scissors	pieza	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					3005.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					130.65

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

- area extension
- purchase of plants for live hedge, if these are not locally available

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

In areas where the technology is applied, a significant number of men have migrated to USA. Women do not work on their plots, but rather look for jobs at farms or coffee plantations in the region. Thus, men who stay behind have a greater work load. Many families receive remittances.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

There are may examples where this Technology was used in the school's community lands. This data was provided by members of the local emergency committee (CODEL) and Education Commitee, who implemented the technology to protect the school.

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

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	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	very well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	very well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	very well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
tropical storm	very well
local rainstorm	very well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	very well

Comments:

Vetiver is highly resistant to drought because it has deep roots that prevent strong currents from removing the plant. The plant tolerates extreme climate conditions such as prolonged drought, floods, immersion, and extreme temperatures ranging from -20°C -50°C.

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

• > 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

230 critical sites

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

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Live hedges are an effective measure to reduce soil degradation produced by water.
Water filtration in soil is increasing. This reduces damage to houses and schools caused by water running down nearby slopes.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Live hedges have multiple uses, depending on the species used: they stabilize slopes, reduce water runoff, reduce soil fertility loss, help diversify food crops and to produce medicinal plants. They are also used for slope stabilization, reduction of surface water runoff, reduction of loss of soil fertility, diversification of food crops and to grow medicinal plants.
Simple to implement and maintain.
Low cost and little input necessary

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?
Rodents and snakes are more attracted towards dense grass clusters and vegetation that are planted in the gaps than slopes with no plant cover.	Growing pineapple plants close to houses or schools and frequently trimming and weeding vetiver hedges to improve visibility.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Vetiver seedlings are not available because it is not a local plant.	Once the vetiver is planted, it can reproduce aon its own in the site. There are examples where vetiver seedlings were extracted by land users from a hedge to make new hedges.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Manual de bioingeniería ( Bioengineering Manual, pending publication)

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

The Vetiver Network International

URL:

www.vetiver.org