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

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

R4D Woody Weeds

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

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

To manage single-stemmed invasive Prosopis juliflora trees, it's advised to use the cut-stump treatment. This involves cutting the tree at its base (≤ 15cm above the ground) and applying a suitable herbicide to the freshly cut stump, focusing on the root collar, stump sides, and outer cut surface.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Cut-stump technology is a suitable method for killing unwanted woody trees and weeds using cutting and herbicide. It involves the cutting of the target tree not more than 15 cm from the ground followed by spraying or painting the freshly cut stump surface, the stump and root collar with the herbicide. Tordon (Picloram 65g/l + 2,4-D 240g/l) is usually mixed with an oil-based substance such as diesel and applied immediately and not more than 15 minutes after cutting for best results to be achieved. Oil-based solvents act as penetrants increasing the rate of chemical absorption by the plants. For mature trees with wide diameters, the cambium at the edge of the cut stump is usually targeted in addition to the cut surface to kill the roots and stems hence prevent regrowth. The area should be fully wet with herbicide, but not so much that it induces runoff. This approach should be avoided in times of heavy rain which could prevent the herbicide from reaching the ground line. It is suitable where the density of the target invasive plant is low.

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
• through projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity

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:

• 3

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Beyond this, the technology also preserves the provision of ecosystem services related to grazing and water - both are considered crucial for pastoral and agricultural land use / livelihoods in Northern Kenya.

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

Comments:

Land infested by Prosopis is considered degraded. The spread of invasive species e.g. Prosopis leads to "vegetation degradation".

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The target tree is cut above the ground, usually 15 cm, after which a pressurized spray or painting brush is used to apply a herbicide around the freshly cut surface. The cambium should be targeted for trees with wider diameters to facilitate absorption of the herbicide solution to the roots.

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):

Kenyan Shilling

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

100.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Cutting the tree stump	Management	10 minutes
2.	Applying herbicide	Management	6 minutes

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	Cutting and treating tree stumps	man days	10.0	300.0	3000.0	100.0
Equipment	Power saw
Fertilizers and biocides	Tordon chemical (www.desertcart.co.ke)	32 oz bottle	1.0	10689.0	10689.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Diesel	liter
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					13689.0

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

In some cases, development projects may cover the costs for the herbicide.

Comments:

The herbicide seems to be available in Kenya in 32 oz bottles.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Control of the stump, recut and retreat if necessary	Management	after every 3 months

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

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:

• state

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

The impact assessment of the technology described here should probably also be discussed in the context of what happens after the treatment of prosopis infested area - i.e. what is the cleared land used for afterwards?

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Comments:

The technology described here is not sensitive to climate change.

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

Comments:

The herbicide was not available to land users since no licenses for its use were issued in Kenya yet.

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
A highly selective method with minimal adverse impacts to non-targeted tree species.
Very effective method of killing unwanted tree species.

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 herbizide should never be applied close to surface water bodies.	Proper control and training of land users

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
According to some sources (e.g. Richardson 2009), costs of cut-stump treatment become prohibitive when Prosopis density is high.	Apply different methodology
Standing stumps hazardous risks to passers by or vehicles.	Apply fencing

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Anderson, L. (20111). Effective control of mesquite-pilbara tools and tips : Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1465/ANR-1465-low.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Cut Stump Herbicide Treatments for Invasive Plant Control Recommendations for Homeowners

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1465/ANR-1465-low.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Hoel, S. (2015). ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT CUT STUMP HERBICIDE?

Available from where? Costs?

https://mdc.mo.gov/blogs/more-quail/are-you-using-right-cut-stump-herbicide

Title, author, year, ISBN:

The Biology of Australian Weeds. Volume 3. Published 2009 by R.G. and F.J. Richardson.

Available from where? Costs?

http://era.daf.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/1495/ (costs 85.- AUD)

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Youtube video showing cut-stump treatment

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCbHkPPkRZI