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)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

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

Cinnabar Green Ltd. (CG) - Kenya

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Structural riverbank protection by metal nets called gabion that are filled with stones

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The studied land plot is situated in the semi-arid savannah zone of the Naro Moru sub-catchment at the foot of Mt. Kenya. A large-scale farmer owns a spacious land plot bordering Naro Moru River where he grows herbs and special plants to produce human care products. He rarely intervenes in the riparian area but is still interested in a good protection of water resources. Therefore, big stone control structures called gabions were installed to prevent big riparian trees from being undermined by water and destabilized by erosion. This method is cost intensive but can be applied locally for the protection of certain goods. The action was promoted by the Water Resource Users Association of the sub-catchment.

Purpose of the Technology: Despite semi-arid conditions, there is a high probability of flooding. Heavy rainfalls on upper slopes of Mt. Kenya lead to flood events in the semi-arid areas of Naro Moru River. These events have a destructive effect on the riverbanks, which have become instable by human induced activities such as overgrazing and deforestation. The instable riparian soils are eroded easily. The farmers lose their precious land and the water is polluted.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Big riparian trees are important for stabilizing the riverbed and riverbanks and for building a canopy that provides shade which enables the typical riparian conditions with its vast biodiversity. Thus, large metal nets (2x1x0.5 m) are filled with stones and placed in front of the roots to protect them from the direct current. These metal nets are called gabion and are placed at especially prone places. This structural measure contributes to mitigate or even stop riverbank degradation. High efforts are required to establish gabions. The costs for the metal net amount to 80 US-Dollar per net. Additionally, workforce must be found to fill the nets with stones from the river. Once installed, they ensure a good local protection. They are also used to protect bridge pillars. The life expectance of a gabion net is about 20 years if not destroyed by extreme events.

Natural / human environment: The plot is situated on a plateau at the western side of Mt. Kenya. There is not the same amount of precipitation as at the foot slopes of Mt. Kenya. However, the area still benefits from the runoff that is generated on the mountain. Precipitation in the so-called savannah zone ranges from 600mm to 900mm per year. Due to the high evaporation, rain-fed agriculture is only partly possible. Therefore most land users depend on irrigation using river water.
During the last decades, the region has experienced a still continuing population growth which increases population pressure in the area and removal and use of the vegetation along the rivers. The good accessibility and the moderate tourism allow even off-farm income-generation.

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:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The WRUA talked to the farmer who introduced the technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce risk of disasters

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Due to the decreasing river flows, the riparian vegetation is being diminished.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Big riparian trees are threatened because of being undermined by water. The canopy and the roots of the trees are a vital component of the riparian habitat.

Other type of forest: Preservation

Forest products and services: grazing / browsing, nature conservation / protection

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: management measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wr: riverbank erosion, Hp: decline of surface water quality

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Bh: loss of habitats, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline

Main causes of degradation: over abstraction / excessive withdrawal of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.), floods, population pressure

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:

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of 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 unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Kenyan Shilling

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

90.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Installing and filling the metal wire with stones	during dry season

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	Installing and filling the metal wire with stones	Persons/day	2.0	3.0	6.0	100.0
Construction material	Wire	piece	1.0	80.0	80.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					86.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					0.96

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Control of the gabion nets
2.	Control of fences

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The price for the metal wire is the most cost determinant factor.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1870 m a.s.l.

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 low

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Just along the river, deeper ground water level 50-100m

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 Leaders / privileged

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

1% of the land users are very rich and own 10% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: The land owner has a company that produces oils and herbs for care products. The company produces in a organic way and preserves the environment.

Market orientation of production system: Conservation/Preservation (But company produces care products for worldwide shipping)

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:

• company
• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Comments:

The land owner has a company that produces oils and herbs for care products. The company produces in a organic way and preserves the environment.

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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

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	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)?

Comments:

The establishment costs are quite high.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

1 landowner

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 no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: The costs are too high for an average farmer to adopt the technology.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Ensuring an intact environment to guarantee the organic origin of the company products. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Control that the riparian area is not being polluted or destroyed.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Conservation of the unique riparian habitat How can they be sustained / enhanced? Continue the protective measures and hinder negative intervention in the riparian area.
Through the environmental activities, the acceptance of the company increases. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regular interaction improve neighborly relations.

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?
The implementation of the gabions is very cost-intensive.	Alternatives should be checked out.
The origin of the vegetation decline, the decreasing river flow, is not being combatted.	Water abstractions in the upper reaches should be diminished.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information