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

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:

Cisterns are water collection structures which form part of a cultural heritage dating back some 2000 years. While cisterns are commonly used to store drinking water, in the sloping fields of Tarsus they serve as a form of water insurance structure for orchards during dry periods.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

People have lived in Tarsus in the Northern Mediterranean Basin since the Neolithic period, and from that time they have modified their environment by constructing terraces to safeguard against erosion and cisterns to store water. Cisterns were constructed for two purposes: cisterns next to homes were designed for drinking water, and the cisterns in the fields were intended to supply vital supplementary irrigation to Mediterranean crops of figs, carobs, vines, and olives during the driest months of July and August. In the summer, a normal-sized cistern with a water volume of 150 cubic metres (150 tonnes) can supply water to a 1-hectare fig (150 tree.ha-1) or olive orchard (200 tree.ha-1) that are traditionally planted on a slightly inclined field (3-5% slope).
The historical field cisterns, which were built using roman cement to reinforce locally available hard limestone, have an average depth of 14 metres and a maximum diameter of 4 metres, narrowing towards the top like the neck of a bottle. One of the most important features is the design that keeps the water surface at about 2-3 meters below the intake hole. By making sure the water in the reservoirs does not receive sunlight, it is believed that the growth of algae and bacteria would be prevented in the cistern.
The Mediterranean climate forms a home for drought-tolerant crops like figs, grapes, olives and carob. However, by supplying small amounts of water to plants, such as one or two buckets, throughout the driest months of the year, particularly July and August, yields can be significantly increased. Cisterns are also utilized to provide sheep and goats, which have been farmed in the region for a very long time, with water for drinking.
Maintenance is needed to repair structural damage, which can be brought about by shifting stones or weakening of the cement. Additionally, the interior has to be cleaned because it may have been partially filled with stones and branches. Furthermore, certain plants must not be permitted to grow close to the cisterns, particularly figs, as their roots can penetrate the stone and undermine the framework.
Farmers continue to favor the technique since the frequency of droughts in the Mediterranean area is increasing. However, because the maintenance of the cisterns exceeds farmers' capabilities, they request, and receive, repair and cleaning assistance from the municipality.

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:

Türkiye

Region/ State/ Province:

Mediterranean Region, Turkey

Further specification of location:

Göcük Village, Tarsus

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 100-1,000 km2

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Comments:

Cisterns are sited in farmers' fields and still used by the owners: cisterns are unevenly distributed on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey extending from Antakya to Izmir

Map

×

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:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Tarsus Municipality is maintaining the cisterns by restoration and cleaning inside of the cisterns

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Tree and shrub cropping

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• carob
• figs
• grapes
• olive

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Legumes, wheat

Is crop rotation practiced?

No

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

• water harvesting
• ground water management
• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

• S7: Water harvesting/ supply/ irrigation equipment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

Comments:

Keeping trees alive by irrigation in dry months maintains land cover and reduces erosion

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

These are traditional structures and no new unit are built due to high construction costs. However, Tarsus Municipality is planning to build new ones for increasing water harvesting capacity in the region.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

No new cistern is constructed

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

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

Tarsus Municipality

Comments:

Maintenance and cleaning are undertaken by Tarsus Municipality's staff and equipment.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Skilled labor and cleaning the inside of the cistern from litter and debris

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• convex situations

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.

Cambisols, Leptosols, Calcisols. The pH is generally above 7.5 with less than 2% soil organic carbon and highly carbonate content (>10%). No salinity or water logging.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Reduced precipitation has a negative impact on the time or volume of water required to recharge cisterns. Decreased water recharging may increase water carbonate content originating from local carbonate rocks.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Other ecological impacts

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

As water is provided at driest time of the year vegetation cover is maintained.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Negligible

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

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)?

Comments:

Farmers cannot maintain or built new cisterns due to the need of equipment and skilled labor along with high expenses that is beyond their capacity.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

no new cisterns built due to high construction costs

Comments:

As cisterns were constructed long time ago, all locals know their critical functioning, and they try to keep cistern working if it exists in their field

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

CISTERNS: A Solution from the Past to a Future Problem. Erhan Akca, 2015.

Available from where? Costs?

http://tid.web.tr/ortak_icerik/tid.web/170/dr%20erhan%20akca.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

The Roman and Byzantine Cisterns in Historical Peninsula, Selim S Gungor, 2017

Available from where? Costs?

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/384858

Title, author, year, ISBN:

An Assessment of the Water Systems and Cisterns in Ariassos and Kremna, Mehmet Jurkcu, 2017

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.academia.edu/download/38074021/MJH-21-Mehmet_KURKCU.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

The History of Rainwater Harvesting

URL:

https://4perfectwater.com/blog/history-of-rainwater-harvesting

7.4 General comments

The questionnaire is really well prepared and eases data input by the users