Technologies

Area Closure for Rehabilitation of Degraded Hillsides [Ethiopia]

Lafa Dangesu

technologies_1418 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 61%

1. General information

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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Closing the degraded land in order to provide enough time to regenerate by excluding from human and animal interferance.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The area is closed until the conditions are improved by revegetation and constructing structural measures. The technique is applied on steep slopes, shallow and denuded and environmentally sensetive areas.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose is to reclaim denuded land and make it productive and introduce effective use use of the land. Through stablizing the soil and regenerating of natural vegetation, helps to protect the down stream crop lands and other properties.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The initial establishment is through restricting any domestic animal and human interferance into the closed area until the land rehabilitates. Maintenance includes replanting of tree species and repair of fence and structural measures that have breached.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Oromia

Further specification of location:

Boset Woreda

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 10-100 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 57.1 km2.

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

  • Tree plantation, afforestation
  • Cut and carry
  • Acacia saligna, Casia siamea, Schinus mole
Products and services:
  • Timber
  • Fuelwood
  • Nature conservation/ protection
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): low level of awarness of the land users on the effect of soil erosion.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): low productivity of land

Plantation forestry: Yes

Problems / comments regarding forest use: no forest land is owned individually,

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • area closure (stop use, support restoration)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

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
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities

Main causes of degradation: overgrazing, education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, poverty / wealth (lack of captial), lack of enforcement of legislat./authority

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, mitigation / reduction of land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover

Secondary technical functions: increase of surface roughness, sediment harvesting

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 2500

Trees/ shrubs species: Acacia saligna, Casia siamea, Schinus mole

Terrace: forward sloping
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1.5m
Spacing between structures (m): 1.5m
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5m
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5m
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 6m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 50m

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.56

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.85

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. road construction dry season
2. planting wet season
3. fencing dry season
4. microbasin dry season
5. pitting dry season
6. terrace construction dry season
7. Surveying & layout dry season
8. digging dry season
9. stablizing embankment wet 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 Labour ha 1.0 13600.0 13600.0 90.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 500.0 500.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 350.0 350.0 10.0
Plant material Seedlings ha 1.0 5700.0 5700.0 15.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 20150.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 2353.97

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. fence dry season /annual
2. microbasin dry season /annual
3. repitting dry season /annual
4. terrace dry season /annual
5. road dry season /annual
6. replanting wet season /annual
7. excavation of sediments dry season/annual
8. replanting wet season/annual

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 Labour ha 1.0 9350.0 9350.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 280.0 280.0 40.0
Plant material Seedlings ha 1.0 4380.0 4380.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 14010.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 1636.68

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

location of nursery site from the closed area, absence of road and/or vehicle/fuel

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
Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

LGP 75-179 days

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.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Moderate (50% of the area), rolling (30% of the area) and gentle (20%)

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)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
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 texture is medium (loamy, silty). Also coarse/light (ranked 2) and fine/heavy (ranked 3)
Soil fertility is medium. Also low (ranked 2) and very high (ranked 3)
Topsoil organic matter is medium (1-3%). Also low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium. Also good (ranked 2) and poor (ranked 3)
Soil water storage capacity is medium. Also low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

and own 25% of the land.
and own 60% of the land.
and own 15% of the land.

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Reduction of grazing land

Income and costs

economic disparities

increased
decreased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

Soil fertility

decreased
increased

Individual income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Benefited from grasses for construction and sell

Input constraints

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 11-50%
Comments:

65% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

35% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: they strongly belive that this technology will solve their basic problem at the community level, lsuch as fulfilling demanding of fuel wood and construction materials in short period and in increasing environmental and economical benefits in the long period.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
grasses for livestock and timber for construction
reduce runoff
increase awarness about resources conservation
understand the importance of group work
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
reduce soil erosion in the closed area

How can they be sustained / enhanced? strengthen and encourage the community
satisfay the demand of fuel wood, construction material and feed

How can they be sustained / enhanced? provide improved seeds and training
protect down slope land and properties

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Organize experience sharing programme
increase the awarness of farmers about conservation of natural resources
encourage group work in the community

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?
un equal contribution in group work during implimentation
reduced areas for open grazing
low commitment of the community leaders
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
lack of continous supervision
lack of integration of activities
interferance of livestock in some areas
too much expectations from the government

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

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