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

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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:

The technology is based on tree plantation of several species (i.e. Grevillea robusta, Psidium guava, Bambusa vulgaris ) along the riparian land of the farmer.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The practice carried out voluntary by the farmer consists of planting trees at the edge of the river bank and in its proximity.

Purpose of the Technology: By increasing vegetation cover (started 10 year ago) the intention of the farmer is to reduce and control bank erosion and landslides in the riparian land.
The degradation in this area is in fact evident and it is partially explained by the reduced vegetative cover. The planted trees help to maintain water quality by filtering silt and organic materials from rainwater runoff from the upper area and at the same time reinforce the streambank to control erosion. Another important environmental benefit is the increased carbon allocation from the new root systems.
The farmer also mentioned the interest to continue expanding tree plantation also in view of carbon credit and financial support from local authorities: in particular bamboo, which reaches maturity in few years, can be harvested after about two years and is easy to propagate (vegetatively).
Grevillea trees (timber) are seen by the farmer as a form of saving, and sold out when the farmer is in need of cash, earning between 800 up to 1500 KSh (Kenyan Shillings), depending on the size of the tree and the costs for cutting- transportation (e.g. machine operator between 500-700 KSh).

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The initial inputs for the establishment of the vegetative practices concern mainly labour (e.g. planting trees) and the cost of the seedlings (10 KSh seedlings of Grevillea, 20 KSh of Guava); generally these activities are carried out at the beginning of the rainy season. Pruning of Grevillea is done every three seasons.

Natural / human environment: The climate is sub humid with two rainy seasons (the first starts around March and the second around October). Near the river the area is characterized by gentle slope and deposition of sediments and bank erosion are the main processes; the risks of further degradation and water pollution are reduced by the riparian vegetation and thanks to the good land management practices of the surrounding farmers. The riparian land is the area of min 6-30 m around the river and it is considered by law a protected area; therefore it should be left intact from any human activity (Water Act, 2002). Indeed, the 'control' and daily management is carried out by the riparian farmers in collaboration with Sabasaba WRUA and WRMA, the official authority for the management of the water of the river and the riparian land.
In this site in particular, the water of the river is considered clean by the farmer interviewed, despite the fact that during rainy seasons the sediment loads affect the quality of the water.

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 land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Since year 2000 the farmer has been adopted SWC practices: this in reply to the prolonged degrading situation at the hedge of the river: 'natural vegetation was 'not good' and so 'it was no properly holding the soil', he said.

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

Comments:

Tree plantation of several species (i.e. Grevillea robusta, Psidium guava, Bambusa vulgaris )

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Risk of bank erosion and deposition of sediments in the river. See Appendix 3. Fig. 2.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Bank erosion. See Appendix 3. Fig. 3

Other type of forest: few lines of Grevillea/Bamboes: According to the definitions adopted FAO (FRA, 2010) the land could not be considered as wooded land (less than 0.5 ha).

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Bamboos are planted because of environmental benefits of this plant to stabilize riverbank. Other potential uses: e.g. wood is used to make baskets, fences and various kind of construction; leaves are used to feed chickens. The hollow sections between nodes are used to make containers. Indeed, the farmer let neighbours to clear and use some bamboos.

Forest products and services: nature conservation / protection

Other forest products and services: source of cash

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -along boundary, scattered / dispersed

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: Wm: mass movements / landslides

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Poor vegetation cover, mainly herbaceous), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Especially during wet seasons: March-June and October-November)

Secondary causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (Footslope area (sediments deposition)), land tenure (Previous poor management SWC measures, especially in the upper areas)

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: prevention of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Digging holes / Planting pits (1 feet×1feet Grevillea)	Beginning of the season (March/April)

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	Digging holes	Persons/day	4.0	1.75	7.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings Grevillea	pieces	25.0	0.28	7.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings Guava	pieces	5.0	0.2	1.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					15.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					15.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Pruning Grevillea and let branches dry for firewood	Every 3 seasons
2.	Clearing Grevillea for sale	When in need of cash (not regularly), at least 5 years after planting

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	Pruning Grevillea	Persons/day	1.0	4.0	4.0	100.0
Labour	Clearing Grevillea for sale	Persons/day	1.0	7.0	7.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					11.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					11.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: shovel, machete, hoe

The costs summarized above have been calculated considering one year activities; Bamboos do not require establishment/maintenance costs and therefore do not appear in the balance sheet costs.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

An important constraining factor is labour cost for clearing Grevillea.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1434 m a.s.l.

Landforms: Footslopes are the the areas in which this technology has maximum extent.

Slopes on average: Gentle in the riparian land.

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 low

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

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: 2% - 3%

Off-farm income specification: The farmer is rich because he owns 3 acre of land and livestock, assets (electricity) which are above the average standards of the community. The farmer is retired from an accountancy service position several years ago.

Market orientation of production system: Timber of Grevillea is sold in feet.

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Comments:

Water use rights depend on the use: open access for drinking and domestic uses.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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	not known

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	not 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	not known

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

• 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%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with 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
Grevillea is good for timber producion. How can they be sustained / enhanced? More trees could be planted, but because of 'lack of money' he can not afford it.
Bamboos are good in holding the soil How can they be sustained / enhanced? Leaves could be actually used to feed chickens; planting the 'giant bamboos' also for food consumption.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The Technology is easy to adopt, specially Bamboos plantation, since it does not require significant input and knowledge How can they be sustained / enhanced? It could be implemented in the long run also because the farmer is willing to earmark part of his land for a nursery. The intention is to support the nursery with free seedlings, which could be later distributed among the riparian farmers of the community.
Bambos spreads easily through cuttings and it has different beneficial uses (baskets, fences and various kinds of construction). How can they be sustained / enhanced? Other type of Bamboos could be used as: Dendrocalamus giganteus for food consumption and Arundinaria alpina.
Grevillea plantation has benefits in holding soil. It helps to reduce evaporation from the soil since it makes good shadow. How can they be sustained / enhanced? To increase biodiversity other indigenous sps. could be also planted, among others: Croton megalocarpus (Mũkindũri) a medicinal tree that attracts a lot of bees when in flower, resulting in excellent white honey. The seeds contain oil. Sesbania sesban/keniensis (Mwethia), a nitrogen fixers plant which therefore helps to increase soil fertility.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kikuyu botanical Dictionary 2nd Ed.:A guide to plants names, uses and cultural values. Muruga Gachathi, 2007.

Available from where? Costs?

KEFRI, Nairobi

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Smallholder timber and firewood marketing in the coffee and cotton/tobacco zones ofeastern Mount Kenya. Holding et al., 2006.

URL:

http://www.coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/projectreports/small-scaleforestryconference/Holding.pdf

Title/ description:

Lovett, S. & Price, P. (eds), 2007, Principles for riparian lands management, Land & Water Australia, Canberra. (Ch. 2 Diversity and dynamics of riparian vegetation, Ch.6 The influence of riparian management on stream erosion)

URL:

http://lwa.gov.au/files/products/river-landscapes/px061170/px061170-chapter-1.pdf

Title/ description:

Water Act (The), 2002. N8. The National Water Services Strategy

URL:

http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/ken37553-a.pdf and http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/ken37553-b.pdf