Technologies

Maintaining a 15th century irrigation system for a small orchard [Spain]

Canalización de aguas de origen islámico en el riego de un huerto familiar

technologies_6435 - Spain

Completeness: 90%

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)

land user:

Berenguer Bodí Mercedes

Spain

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

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A 15th century irrigation system is used on a small, intercropped and manured family orchard located in Valencia, in la Vall d’Albaida county (Spain)

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This technology is applied in a family orchard located in a small town (Bocairent) in Valencia, close to the Serra Mariola Natural Park. In the county of Vall d’Albaida, a 15th century system irrigates all the agricultural lands in the area. In this case study, the historical system has been used, since 1998, to irrigate a small plot of 0.2 ha. Water is diverted from the main water canal to a secondary channel which leads to the plot. Irrigation is applied when it is necessary, based on crop water requirements and the rainfall recorded. The original source of the water is the Serra Mariola range from where it flows into the Clarià river. Within the plot there are fruit trees as well as 5 subplots of 10 square meters (5 x 2m each). The subplots are used for vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, fava beans, etc) under a rotational system (2 cycles per year). These 5 subplots are located between the rows of fruit trees (olives, almonds, figs, cherries, peaches), in an intercropping system. The whole field is fertilized annually with organic manure, which is stored at one end of the plot. This horse or sheep manure is acquired from a farm near the orchard. Pest control avoids artificial pesticides and fungicides: pests are controlled through encouraging natural predators. Weeds are removed by hand several times per season. The main purpose of this technology is the improvement of soil structure and organic matter content of the soil, while also preventing soil erosion caused by surface runoff. Avoiding pesticides and following an intercropping system gives multiple benefits: these include (a) maintaining biodiversity, (b) enhancing natural pollinators and pest predators, (c) respecting the Serra Mariola natural park, (d) improving ecosystem supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation, habitat provision, flood regulation) and regulating services (biological control pest and disease control), (d) creating pollination areas, and (e) encouraging carbon sequestration through permanent green cover in the intercropping system. Another benefit is the maintenance of cultural heritage: namely the 15th century, historically complex, irrigation system, which has been in use since being designed by Arabs up to the present day. Land users are continuously improving the technology by minimizing the impact on the agro-ecosystem through avoiding the use of pesticides. They are proud also with the improvement of the nutrient status of the soil, and the level of soil organic matter, achieved through the application of organic manure, as well as the intercropping and rotational system.

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:

Spain

Region/ State/ Province:

Valencia

Further specification of location:

Bocairent

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area
Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

1998

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through land users' innovation
  • as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No


Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Summer/Winter

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

Waterways, waterbodies, wetlands

Waterways, waterbodies, wetlands

  • Drainage lines, waterways

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

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
  • integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)
  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A6: Residue management
structural measures

structural measures

  • S3: Graded ditches, channels, waterways
  • S7: Water harvesting/ supply/ irrigation equipment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
water degradation

water degradation

  • Hp: decline of surface water quality

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

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

5 subplots of 10 square meters (5x2m) are used forvegetables crops (tomatoes, potatoes, fava beans, etc) in a crop rotation system (2 cycles per year). The subplots are between fruit trees line (olive tree, almond tree, fig tree, cherry tree, peaches trees), in an intercropping system. Irrigation is made with a temporal secondary channel from the mean water canal (51th century water network). All the agricultural field (0.2 ha) is fertilized annually with organic manure stored at the end of the plot.

Author:

Alicia Morugan-Coronado

Date:

09/04/2022

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

0.2 ha

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 =:

0.99

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Soil preparation One per season
2. Soil ploughing Twice per year (2 cycles rotation)
3. Manuring Once per year
4. Water irrigation Periodically
5. Tree plantation Once per year
6. Vegetables plantation Twice per year (2 cycles rotation)

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 Manuring person-day 1.0 100.0
Labour Soil ploughing or soil preparation person-day 4.0 10.0 40.0 100.0
Labour Water irrigation litres 100.0 100.0
Labour Plants plantation person-day 2.0 25.0 50.0 100.0
Equipment Hoe piece 1.0 10.0 10.0 100.0
Equipment shovel piece 1.0 18.0 18.0 100.0
Plant material Seed gr 200.0 1.0 200.0 100.0
Plant material Tree piece 25.0 15.0 375.0 100.0
Plant material Vegetables piece 25.0 4.0 100.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Horse or sheep manure kg 80.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 793.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 801.01

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Weeding 4 times per year
2. Harvesting 2 times per year
3. Manuring 1 time per year
4. Vegetables or seed plantation 2 times per year o vegetable cycle
5. Tree re-plantation Eventually if tree loss
6. Soil ploughing 2 times per year or vegetables cycle
7. Water irrigation Periodically

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 Weeding person-day 1.0 100.0
Labour Harvesting person-day 1.0 100.0
Labour Soil ploughing person-day 1.0 100.0
Labour Water irrigation Litres 100.0 100.0
Equipment Hoe piece 1.0 10.0 10.0 100.0
Equipment Scissors piece 1.0 10.0 10.0 100.0
Equipment Shovel piece 1.0 15.0 15.0 100.0
Plant material Seed gr 200.0 1.0 200.0 100.0
Plant material Vegetables plant pieces 20.0 4.0 80.0 100.0
Plant material Fruit trees plant pieces 5.0 18.0 90.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Manuring Kg 80.0 100.0
Other Weeding person-day 1.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 405.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 409.09

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The users has already the material and the plants, only the manure is a gift from a neighbour

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:

520.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Bocairent has dry periods in January, February, March, June, July, August and December.
On average, September is the wettest month with 2 inch (50 mm) of precipitation.
On average, July is the driest month with 0.2 inch (4 mm) of precipitation.

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

In Bocairent, the average annual temperature is 15.5 °C | 60.0 °F.

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.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Is a flat terrain, approximately 1% slope.

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

< 5 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Water quality refers to:

surface water

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Habitat diversity:
  • high

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • women
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

It is a family with 6 members of different ages, the oldest is 60 years-old and the youngest 24 years old

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:

0.2 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • individual
Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

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
Comments/ specify:

The user observes an increase in yield year per year, even in the fruit trees

crop quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The user says that the quality of the vegetables increases annually (visual observation)

Water availability and quality

drinking water availability

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The user explain that avoiding the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilization, the quality of water is better than before

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Because the manure is a gift, no costs are involve in fertilization labour. Avoiding pesticides is another reason to decrease the agricultural inputs

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The user and its family self-consumed the vegetables that they harvest in the orchard

health situation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

Avoiding pesticides and chemical fertilization the health risks decreased on the user and its family

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The legacy of the orchard to the next family members is assured because is a tradition to spend weekends working on the orchard and later eat Paella (a traditional Spanish dish)

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The user learns about soil quality and degratation with the experience and observation

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover as an intercropping system maintains the soil and decreases surface runoff

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover as an intercropping system maintains the soil moisture

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover as an intercropping system maintains the soil

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover as an intercropping system avoids soil loss

soil accumulation

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover as an intercropping system enhances soil formation

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover as an intercropping system decreases soil sealing

soil compaction

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover and the manure application decreases soil compactation

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover and the manure application increases nutrient cycling

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

the permanent green cover and the manure application increases organic matter anually

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The intercropping system maintain vegetation cover during the year between fruit trees rows

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The intercropping system maintain biomassC during the year between fruit trees rows

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The intercropping system increases plant diversity during the year between fruit trees rows

invasive alien species

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

The intercropping system attracts pollinators and pest predators naturally

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The intercropping system enhances the presence of birds or little mammals

pest/ disease control

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The intercropping system enhances the pest control with the presence of natural killers pest

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

buffering/ filtering capacity

reduced
improved

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 moderately
seasonal temperature autumn increase moderately
annual rainfall increase well
seasonal rainfall autumn increase well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local hailstorm well
local sandstorm/ duststorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave well
cold wave very well
drought well
forest fire very well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood well
Biological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
insect/ worm infestation well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • single cases/ experimental
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
Free pesticides orchard, with organic manure from local farm and maintaining irrigation water supply following millenary water rules
Eating healthily
Saving money in vegetables and fruit orchards
Eating your own grow food
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improvement in soil structure and minimizing soil compactation
Improvement in organic matter content
Controlling water erosion on surface
Maintaining biodiversity of natural reserve avoiding the use of pesticides

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?
Manual hours for land preparation Family help on weekends
Pest control manual Try new methods or assessing the correct moment to do the control
Controlling spontaneus plants manually Diversify orchard to minimize the presence of spontaneous plants
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Initial preparation of terrain Overcome by saving cost in annual crop yield
Improving knowledgement in crop diversification Receiving technical advice from experts
Problems in pest control Improving the presence of beneficial insects or predators

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

1 field visit

  • interviews with land users

10 land user interviews

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation
When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/04/2022

Comments:

One in situ interview (09 April 2022) and the rest of info was compiled by phone with the land user

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Historical irrigation system at l'Horta de València

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.fao.org/giahs/news/newsletter-detail/es/c/1253069

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Los regadíos tradicionales del Vinalopó (Alto y Medio). Jorge Hermosilla, ed. Colección: Regadíos Históricos Valencianos. ISBN: 978-84-370-6777-3

Available from where? Costs?

https://puv.uv.es/los-regadios-tradicionales-del-vinalopo-alto-y-medio.html?___store=espanyol&___from_store=valencia

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Los regadíos tradicionales del Vinalopó (Alto y Medio) AUTOR/A: HERMOSILLA PLA, JORGE

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.todostuslibros.com/libros/los-regadios-tradicionales-del-vinalopo-alto-y-medio_978-84-482-4686-0

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Los regadíos históricos españoles paisajes cuturales, paisajes sostenibles AUTOR/A: HERMOSILLA PLA, JORGE / PEÑA ORTIZ, MARTÍN / ANTEQUERA FERNÁNDEZ, MIGUEL 978-84-491-1000-9

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.todostuslibros.com/libros/los-regadios-historicos-espanoles_978-84-491-1000-9

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Evaluación patrimonial de azudes en la demarcación hidrográfica del Júcar AUTOR/A: HERMOSILLA PLA, JORGE 978-84-17508-17-3 / Tirant Humanidades

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.todostuslibros.com/libros/evaluacion-patrimonial-de-azudes-en-la-demarcacion-hidrografica-del-jucar_978-84-17508-17-3

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Cuadernos de historia de España versión impresa ISSN 0325-1195versión On-line ISSN 1850-2717 Cuad. hist. Esp. v.80 Buenos Aires ene./dic. 2006

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0325-11952006000100002

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Heritage-catalogue valencian

URL:

https://www.uv.es/horta-valencia-chair/en/heritage-catalogue/presentacio-del-cataleg/presentacio.html

Title/ description:

ESTEPA RESEARCH GROUP

URL:

https://www.uv.es/uvweb/departamento-geografia/es/investigacion/grupos-investigacion/estepa-estudios-del-territorio-del-patrimonio-/actividades-del-grupo/lineas-investigacion-1285858445772.html

Title/ description:

Bocairent guided visits

URL:

https://www.visitabocairent.com/bocairent-y-el-agua/

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