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)

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

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

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

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

Assistance to community [South Africa]

Community requested assistance to combat soil erosion, only possible when 'Drought Relief Funds' became available.

• Compiler: Philippe Zahner
• 01/15/2009 midnight

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Old motor tyres and/or vegetation along contours.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The site of Geen Einde is typical of many areas in Lebowa: a large gully approximately 200 m wide and 10 m deep in places with semi-eroded pedestals remaining. Flood waters from the mountain meanders causes further gouging of the sides of the pedestals. Tributary gullies have formed in the highly erodible soil (high clay content) adjacent to the main gully. Signs of old contour bunds indicate that the land was cultivated in the past.
1. An earth silt dam was mechanically constructed across the main erosion gully.
2. Several gabion structures were constructed in the minor gullies.
3. Vetiver grass was planted in the silt to act as nursery material for future planting.
4. Old motor tyres were laid on a level contour above the minor gullies to harvest water.
5. Several species of indigenous trees were planted in the gullies and along the rows of tyres.
6. Two Agave species, local aloes and vetiver grass were planted along level contours.
7. Agave was planted along the edges of the gullies.
8. Shallow gullies were stabilised with old tyres and Agave.
9. Couch grass (Cynodon dactylon) was planted at a few places in the gullies and along the rows of tyres.
The main reason for these actions was to reduce the water velocity.

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.):

Having read about the success achieved by placing stone barriers on a level contour in other parts of Africa, but also being aware that the process is slow and laborious and dependent on the availability of stones, the thought come to mind to use old motor tyres instead.
First in the area (my original idea).

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism

Forest/ woodlands

• (Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands
• Tree plantation, afforestation

(Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands: Specify management type:

• Selective felling
• Clear felling

Products and services:

• Fuelwood
• Other forest products
• Grazing/ browsing

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Severe environmental degradation (less graze cover over grazing, considerable silt in the river going into Olifants river a main resource for Kruger National Park, below gabion construction were silted up in one year (some even in one rainstorm).

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Poverty, land tenure free range for the whole community

Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Yes

Grazingland comments: The area was not fenced off at all.

Selective felling of (semi-) natural forests: Yes

Clear felling of (semi-)natural forests: one of the reason for erosion

Problems / comments regarding forest use: So far only indigenous trees have been planted, but there are many exotic species that can also be investigated. For example, the carob can be tried as a commercial crop, the mulberry as a fodder and fruit crop.

Forest products and services: fuelwood, grazing / browsing, other forest products / uses (honey, medical, etc.)

Type of grazing system comments: The area was not fenced off at all.

Constraints of settlement / urban: scattered

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Longest growing period in days: 210

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure
• water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

structural measures

• S5: Dams, pans, ponds

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

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

other/ national currency (specify):

rand

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

6.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The main expense is transporting the tyres which depends on the distance travelled.
It is obvious that any increase in the cost of labour will have a market impact on final costs.

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 depth on average: Also shallow

Soil fertility is low - very low

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

Soil water storage capacity is low - medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

(other income (e.g. bottle store)).

Off-farm income specification: Pension very important

Market orientation of production system: Probable, no sure if on market

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:

• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Interest is increasing.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Progress Report. Feb-94.

Available from where? Costs?

C.W. Spies