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)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

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

Direction Générale de l’Amenagement et de Conservation des Terres Agricoles (DG/ACTA) - Tunisia

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

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Tunisia (GIZ Tunisia) - Tunisia

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Individual dry-stone basins are a traditional runoff water collection technique built in dry stone around the trunk of trees, mainly olive trees.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The individual dry-stone basin is a semi-circular arrangement of stones placed around the base of a tree. This technique is applied in arid or semi-arid regions facing water scarcity, especially in hilly or mountainous areas characterized by rocky or shallow soils with poor water retention.

The aim of this practice is to collect rainwater and allow it to capture rainwater and facilitate its gradual infiltration into the soil, thereby fostering plant growth. It helps prevent soil erosion, enhances soil fertility, and reduces water runoff.

The dimensions of individual dry-stone basins vary according to tree size, soil type and slope. The basin construction process involves the following steps:

-Attach a cord to the olive tree's trunk to create a semicircle with the same radius as the tree's canopy;
-Dig a concave semicircular trench, 10-20 cm deep, around the plant in the upstream direction.
-Place large stones in the trench.
-Crush the stones (1 to 2 cm)

After placing the two staggered rows of stones, a second row must be added on top to provide volume to the dike and lock the stones together. This process is iterated to achieve a height ranging from 0.40 to 1 m, depending on the slope, ensuring a level dike surface that effectively negates runoff velocity.

Stones are used to block plant debris, while crushing prevents water from infiltrating and causing the dike to collapse. It is crucial to lay the levelling stones flat, as this is pivotal to the success of the method. The irregular texture of the crushed stones plays a vital role in filtering water during the initial rains and retaining it once it has settled (typically by the 3rd to 4th rain). In just a few rains, the space between the bunds is leveled.

After each plowing or fertilizer application, the troughs must be reshaped. Maintenance of the outlet, with the removal of weeds from the basin platform, is essential.

Land users hold varying perspectives on the use of this technology, shaped by their experiences. While these structures help prevent soil erosion, enhance soil quality and water retention, boost water availability for trees, and stimulate growth and fruit production, the construction of individual dry-stone basins is labor-intensive and costly, which some land users perceive as a drawback.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

• 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.):

Individual dry-stone basins are a traditional technique devised for cultivating trees in arid and semi-arid regions characterized by light, moderately deep soil, and gentle relief.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management
• cross-slope measure
• water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Tunisian dinars

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

3.1

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Stone picking
2.	Digging a 30 cm-deep trench
3.	Construction of the basin
4.	Backfilling with pebbles and sand

Comments:

Basins are built all year round.

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	Workers	Individual	1.0	17.0	17.0
Equipment	Pickaxe		1.0	30.0	30.0
Equipment	Shovel		1.0	24.0	24.0
Equipment	Large hammer		1.0	60.0	60.0
Construction material	Purchase and transportation of dry stones	Basin	1.0	40.0	40.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					171.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					55.16

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

Directorate-General for Agricultural Land Planning and Conservation

Comments:

The Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Land and its regional representatives are responsible for implementing this technology based on a request submitted by the land users.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Elevation of the wall
2.	Weed clearance
3.	Prunning

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	Workers employed in raising the wall	Basin		17.0		100.0
Labour	Workers for prunning operations	Basin		5.0		100.0
Labour	Workers for weed clearance activities	Basin		1.5		100.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The key cost determinants in this process are the availability of labor and stones in the field.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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.

- Poorly developed soils
- Healthy soil
- Gypsum crusts

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

- Off-farm activities exhibit significant diversity but are predominantly centered on sporadic day labor, employment as civil servants, and involvement in small businesses such as shops.
- The surveyed farmers had an average age of 53.5, with the youngest being 21 and the oldest 86.

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, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Heritage

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

On-site impacts were assessed by means of exhaustive surveys in the Oueslatia area and field measurements carried out as part of research projects.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Research results have highlighted the external impacts of this technology.

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 rainfall		decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local hailstorm	very well

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

• > 50%

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

150 ha

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 11-50%

Comments:

Following a request from the landowner, the Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands (DGACTA) is involved in the installation of individual dry-stone basins.

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
This technology enriches the soil.
This technology boosts agricultural production.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Individual dry-stone basins are small water collection structures.
Individual dry-stone basins are recognized as anti-erosion techniques.
It plays an important role in recharging the water table.

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?
Cost	Incentivization through subsidies

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Elevation of the wall is the only maintenance method.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide de conservation des eaux et du Sol, Ministère de l’agriculture, Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservations des Terres Agricoles, 1995

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Directorat-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide de conservation des eaux et du Sol, Ministère de l’agriculture, Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservations des Terres Agricoles, 1995

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Directorat-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide de conservation des eaux et du Sol, Ministère de l’agriculture, Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservations des Terres Agricoles, 1995

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Directorat-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Chapitre 6. Les techniques traditionnelles de gestion de l’eau, de la biomasse et de la fertilité des sols In : Gestion durable des eaux et des sols au Maroc : Valorisation des techniques traditionnelles méditerranéennes, SABIR, Mohamed ; ROOSE, Éric ; et AL KARKOURI, Jamal, 2010, ISBN : 9782709917902.

URL:

https://books.openedition.org/irdeditions/327

Title/ description:

Guide technique pour la lutte contre la désertification, Abdessalem Kallala, OSS, 2017.

URL:

http://projet.oss-online.org/LCD/images/BP/Techniques_LCD.pdf

Title/ description:

Guide technique pour la lutte contre la désertification, Abdessalem Kallala, OSS, 2017.

URL:

http://projet.oss-online.org/LCD/images/BP/Techniques_LCD.pdf

Title/ description:

Guide technique pour la lutte contre la désertification, Abdessalem Kallala, OSS, 2017.

URL:

http://projet.oss-online.org/LCD/images/BP/Techniques_LCD.pdf

Title/ description:

Guide technique pour la lutte contre la désertification, Abdessalem Kallala, OSS, 2017.

URL:

http://projet.oss-online.org/LCD/images/BP/Techniques_LCD.pdf