Technologies

Cutting of Ferns in degraded pastures to use as litter and fodder [Italy]

technologies_1214 - Italy

Completeness: 69%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Quaranta Giovanni

University of Basilicata

Italy

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

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

Yes

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Cutting of wild ferns for fodder production and to mitigate pasture degradation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Ferns are considered pioneer plants because Wherever there is fertile, acidic and well drained land Ferns (Pteridium sp.) preceed shrub species and the encroaching of forest species. Ferns that develop on pastures are fairly un-palatable to grazing livestock and completely disregarded by animals when the plant is fresh. The plant is thus usually mowed down to clear pastures and make way for more palatable species which would otherwise be suffocated by the presence of ferns. However, once cut down, dried and gathered, ferns can be used during the winter months (when the animals are in sheds or stables), both as a source of fibre and as bedding in deep litter housing systems (in place of the more common use of straw).

Purpose of the Technology: Improve pasture quality and gathering of fodder/ litter

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: End of summer/beginning of fall farmers use to cut ferns in the fields where they are diffused. Usually they use tractor whit a cutting equipment. As they get dry (it takes from 3 to 6 days according to air temperature and humidity) the ferns are collected and stored for winter use, either as fodder or litter housing.

Natural / human environment: The context of production is 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 technique is mainly applied on higher latitude pasture land (because of the presence of acidic soils) which are not particularly stony.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Italy

Region/ State/ Province:

Basilicata

Further specification of location:

castelsaraceno

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Semi-nomadic pastoralism
  • Ranching
Animal type:
  • goats
  • sheep
  • cows
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Pasture degradation (shrub encroachment)
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Pasture degradation (shrub encroachment)
Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Shepherds use the area for summer grazing and move downhill in winter
Grazingland comments: the technique is applied in livestock farms which raise both cattle and sheep and goats seeing as
fresh ferns are un-palatable to all grazing species.
Type of grazing system comments: the technique is applied in livestock farms which raise both cattle and sheep and goats seeing as
fresh ferns are un-palatable to all grazing species.

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: March to august
Livestock density: > 100 LU /km2

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • pastoralism and grazing land management
  • fodder production and mitigation pasture degradation

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
management measures

management measures

  • M5: Control/ change of species composition
Comments:

Main measures: management measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline

Secondary causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (Undergrazing, decrease in land use and land management)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Secondary goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: G : grass
Number of plants per (ha): 150000

Control / change of species composition

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

euro

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

0.74

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

81.08

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Cutting and gathering of fern Once a year
2. Cutting and gathering of ferns Once a year

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 Cutting and gathering of fern ha 1.0 162.16 162.16 100.0
Equipment Cutting and gathering of fern ha 1.0 108.1 108.1 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 270.26
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 365.22
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Tractor with mower which is commonly owned for medium to large livestock farms for the purpose of haying., tractor with mower which is commonly owned for medium to large livestock farms for the purpose of haying.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The technique does not require specific investment given that the necessary equipment is usually already available on farm in the case of medium to large size livestock farms. The work is carried out in autumn when the machinery are not generally in use as haying operations are usually finished in the summer months.
If the farm does not own suitable machinery it can be rented at a cost of €40 per hour.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

1519.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

68% in winter and 15% in summer

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Thermal climate class: temperate

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
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

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

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

Species diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • commercial/ market
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Gender:
  • women
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%

90% of the land users are average wealthy.
10% of the land users are poor.

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 used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale
Comments:

Considering communal land used by farmers

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

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

habitat diversity

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced

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 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
Comments:

In order to make ferns dry up in such environment it would be possible to cut them during last stage of summer rather then early autumn to avoid possible persistent rain that would not allow ferns to dry up.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

In the short term the advantage is an increase in surface and quality of valuable pastures. for the grazing animals. In the long term the application of this technique is important to prevent shrub encroachment.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 91-100%
Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
ferns are used in winter as fodder which absorbs the cost of cutting and gathering ferns from pastures and also helps improve pasture quality.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
the cutting of ferns is a simple, low-cost operation
which brings great benefits to livestock farms.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Greater exchange of information amongst target
farmers on the benefits of clearing pastures.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

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