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)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

20/09/2016

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Combining different measures such as stone rows, dikes and dams to stabilize and restore the soil and increase water infiltration. Trees alongside these structures allow an enhancement of these structural measures.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The main objective is the recovery of 20,000 hectares of degraded land by the project 'Combating erosion, recovery and enhancement of degraded land and climate change adaptation (EKF)' until 2019. This should be achieved through a combination of structural measures such as stone rows, and biological measures such as revegetation and agroforestry.
The EKF project carries out four types of land improvement techniques:

Contour stone rows, permeable rock dams, permeable rock dikes as well as the treatment of gully erosion. In order to strengthen their performance, these structures are vegetated with grasses (Andropogon gayanus, Cymbopogon sp, Vetiveria zizanioides) or tree species (Jatropha curcas, Acacia nilotica, Agave sisalana).
Working groups are created for the construction and maintenance.
The described measures help to protect the land against erosion caused by runoff, by slowing down runoff and spreading it over the land. In this way the structures increase water infiltration and not only help to act against erosion caused by runoff (thereby preventing the loss of rainwater), but also increase sedimentation and act as a filter by keeping waterborne particles on the land. In areas of erratic rainfall, these measures help to conserve soil moisture.

Vegetation helps to stabilize the structures and is furthermore an effective measure to protect the land against water and wind erosion. The right grass or tree species must be chosen to ensure the longevity of the structures. Preferences and needs of land users are taken into account as trees and grasses provide products and byproducts (bearing economic benefits), but also provide fodder for livestock and increase overall biodiversity.

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:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Stone rows are part of a local knowledge that has been known and implemented in Burkina for generations.
The combination of technologies and certain aspects are based on the project's interventions.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• 100-1,000 km2

Comments:

The goal is to reach 200 km until 2019 (end of project).

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
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Contour stone bunds (shown in the drawing): Contour stone bunds are erosion control structures built with rocks or stones along a natural contour. They are made up of three stones, two of which form the foundation (partly embedded in the ground) and the third being placed on top. Small stones are used as "filling material" and also act as a filter. For small slopes (< 3%), one stone row each 50 to 60 meters can be constructed and each 20-30 meters for steeper slopes.

Technical standards:
- Height: 40 cm
- Embedded in soil: 15 cm
- Width: 40 cm.

Permeable rock dam: Rock dams are an erosion control structure built in gullies. They consist of rubble as foundation and may contain spillways.

Technical standards:
- Height: 0.7-1.2 m
- Width: 3 times the height
- Embedded in soil: 30 cm

Permeable rock dike:
Definition: Unlike the dam, the dike is built alongside natural contours. It is larger in size and therefore can control stronger water flow
Technical standards:
- Height: 0.6-1.1 m
- Width: 3 times height
- Embedded in soil: 30 cm

Biological measures: To ensure the durability of these constructions, different species are planted. These may be herbaceous species (Andropogon gayanus, Cymbopogon sp, Vetiveria zizanoides) or tree species (Jatropha curcas, Acacia nilotica, Agave sisalana).

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

F CFA

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

584.5

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Formation of working groups	Other measures
2.	Topographic survey	Other measures
3.	Collection of stones	Other measures
4.	Transport of stones and construction of anti-erosion measure	Structural	April to June
5.	Technical and official approval	Other measures
6.	Planting of trees	Vegetative	July and August

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour force for the construction	Metres	2855.0	320.0	913600.0
Labour	Topographic data collection	Metres	2855.0	60.0	171300.0
Equipment	Working kit	Day	13.0	858.0	11154.0
Equipment	Transport of Stones	Cubic Metres	571.0	2000.0	1142000.0
Plant material	Trees	Amount of trees	224.0	200.0	44800.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2282854.0

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

Financed by the project

Comments:

Costs are calculated for the permeable rock dams

These costs do not include the following:
- Salaries and operating costs of the project team;
- Supplies (notebooks and pens) for the working groups;
- Pharmaceutical supplies for the working groups;
- The contract grant for the implementation and monitoring of the activities of vegetation;
- The operating costs of the maintenance;
- The training of farmers on erosion control techniaues

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

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.

Most are leached tropical ferruginous soils on sandy material and sandy clay. They are acidic (4.4 <pH <5.9), the nitrogen content is between 0.044 and 0.088%.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

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

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	very well
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	very well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	very well
local thunderstorm	very well
local hailstorm	very well
local windstorm	very well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	very well
drought	very well
forest fire	well
land fire	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood	very well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

Comments:

The approach began in 2013, only short term benefits exist.

It is clear that the costs of implementation are comparatively high (equipment of working groups, topographic surveys, labour costs, transportation costs).
So far, there has not been maintenance costs. The anti erosion measures are regularly maintained, but this has involved no costs.
A study of financial profitability shows that it takes about five (5) seasons in order to evaluate the investments.

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
Allows to retrieve and restore degraded and bare soil for agricultural use and an increase in cultivable and pastoral areas. Fertility is restored and the production / yield increases. In addition, there is a diversification of crop and animal production
Decrease of runoff. Before the technologies were in place, heavy runoff would damage houses and wash away seeds.
Improves education and school attendance as well as health facilities

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Awareness raising in sustainable land management and development of a local knowledge system
Decrease of migration flows / rural-urban migration
Creating social cohesion and incorporating a gender dimension

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?
The anti erosion works are built over long distances. In the past, house owners have destroyed stone rows for example if they are built too close to their house in order to allow rainwater to pass.	The technology can be adapted, house owners must be involved in planning processes
Risk of snakes and reptiles	Land users must be involved in the construction. Children must not destroy the anti erosion works.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
High costs of the technology. If the land user has to bear these costs, the technology is not replicable.	The project has not found a solution.
In depression areas there may be water-logging	The project has not found a solution.
There are areas with soil degradation where the primary material (stones) is not available.	Neighbouring villages (with primary material) must be included in the planning process

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Good practices in water and soil conservation. A contribution to adaptation and farmers' resilience towards climate change in the Sahel. 2012

URL:

https://www.giz.de/fachexpertise/downloads/giz2012-en-good-practices-in-soil-and-water-conservation.pdf.