1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación de la Tecnología

Nombre del proyecto que financió la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

OPtimal strategies to retAIN and re-use water and nutrients in small agricultural catchments across different soil-climatic regions in Europe (OPTAIN)

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia – Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Maribor (KGZS) - Eslovenia

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT:

Sí

1.4 Declaración de la sostenibilidad de la Tecnología descrita

¿La Tecnología aquí descrita resulta problemática en relación a la degradación de la tierra, de tal forma que no puede considerársela una tecnología sostenible para el manejo de la tierra?

No

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Riparian buffer strips are vegetative zones alongside watercourses. In compliance with EU and Slovenia’s Acts, these protective strips reduce soil erosion, filter pollutants, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and support climate resilience.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Riparian buffer strips are applied alongside all watercourses and drainage ditches in Slovenia. These buffer zones are legally mandated under the Water Act and GAEC 4 conditionality standards within the EU CAP 2023-2027 framework. Strips, of 3-15 m wide depending on size of the watercourse, serve as transition zones between cultivated fields and waterways, mitigating the impact of agriculture on aquatic ecosystems and surrounding environments.
Strips must comprise grasses, clover, alfalfa, native shrubs, and/or trees. The use of mineral and organic fertilizers is banned, as are pesticides and herbicides. Deep ploughing is prohibited, but surface tillage is allowed for maintenance and sowing (especially if the buffer strip is classified as agricultural land). Grazing is permitted, but with specific restrictions. If the farmer does not maintain the buffer strip, the area is excluded from the system of agricultural land in use and becomes ineligible for any subsidies.
The main purpose of riparian buffer strips is to protect and improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity. By intercepting surface runoff, they reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticide contamination from agricultural land. The dense vegetation stabilizes riverbanks. The strips also enhance habitat connectivity for wildlife, providing nesting sites and food sources. Additionally, they play a role in flood mitigation by reducing the speed of stormwater runoff and thus improving water infiltration and retention.
To establish and maintain riparian buffer strips, an initial assessment of existing vegetation and soil determines whether additional planting is needed. If the area lacks sufficient vegetation, direct seeding with suitable species is carried out. Maintenance usually involves mowing, mulching, and occasional pruning. Pruning refers to the removal of overgrown trees and shrubs along the riverbank to prevent spreading onto agricultural land. This work typically requires tools such as a chainsaw and a tractor with a trailer for removing the cut woody material. Farmers must also comply with monitoring and reporting requirements under CAP regulations.
The benefits of riparian buffer strips are primarily environmental. By filtering pollutants before they enter watercourses, they contribute to cleaner water, reduced eutrophication, and improved aquatic ecosystems. They help maintain land productivity in the long term, reducing the need for costly interventions such as dredging or erosion control measures. The vegetation within the strips absorbs carbon, contributing to climate mitigation efforts. Additionally, by complying with regulations, farmers gain access to CAP subsidies and other environmental incentives, making implementation more financially viable.
Despite these advantages, land users have mixed opinions about such strips. Some farmers appreciate the additional forage production, and others find that the buffer zones serve as useful access paths around their fields, making machinery operation easier. However, many landowners dislike the loss of productive farmland, particularly those near first-order watercourses, where wider buffer strips are required. The loss of cultivated land can result in lower crop yields and income reductions, with farms experiencing up to a 6.2% decrease in arable land and financial losses estimated at 7,448 € per farm annually (Lešnik et al. 2024). Some farmers express concerns about the complexity of legal requirements and the costs associated with compliance and maintenance.
While riparian buffer strips are essential for environmental sustainability, their impact on farm economics must be carefully considered. Future strategies may involve flexible width requirements or integration with agroforestry systems to maximize their benefits while minimizing financial burdens.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde la Tecnología fue aplicada y que se hallan comprendidos por esta evaluación

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Si no se conoce el año preciso, indique la fecha aproximada:

• hace menos de 10 años (recientemente)

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

• due to the legislative requirements of agricultural and water policy.

3.1 Propósito(s) principal(es) de la Tecnología MST

• reducir, prevenir, restaurar la degradación de la tierra
• conservar el ecosistema
• proteger una cuenca hidrográfica/ áreas corriente abajo – en combinación con otras Tecnologías
• preservar/ mejorar biodiversidad

3.2 Tipo(s) actuales de uso de la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología

Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

No

Comentarios:

The area is generally classified as agricultural land but functions as a buffer zone along water bodies. Fodder crops are typically grown and either harvested for feed or mulched. In some cases, the area may be used for grazing livestock, although this is relatively rare.

3.3 ¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

• Sí (Por favor responda las preguntas de abajo referidas al uso de la tierra antes de implementar la Tecnología)

Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

No

3.4 Provisión de agua

Provisión de agua para la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología:

• de secano

3.5 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• cobertura de suelo/ vegetal mejorada
• manejo de agua superficial (manantial, río, lagos, mar):
• protección/manejo de humedales

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

Comentarios:

It is considered a vegetative measure because it relies primarily on the establishment and management of permanent vegetation such as grasses, legumes (e.g., clover, alfalfa), shrubs, and trees.

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación de la tierra encarados con la Tecnología

3.8 Prevención, reducción o restauración de la degradación de la tierra

Especifique la meta de la Tecnología con relación a la degradación de la tierra:

• prevenir la degradación de la tierra
• reducir la degradación de la tierra

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

Especifique cómo se calcularon los costos e insumos:

• por área de Tecnología

otra / moneda nacional (especifique):

EUR

Si fuera relevante, indique la tasa de cambio de dólares americanos a la moneda local (ej. 1 U$ = 79.9 Reales Brasileros): 1 U$ =:

0,87

4.3 Actividades de establecimiento

	Actividad	Momento (estación)
1.	Purchase grass seed mixture	1st year
2.	Pre-sowing preparation and sowing	1st year

Comentarios:

Select grass species or mixtures adapted to local soil and climatic conditions. Minimal soil disturbance recommended; shallow cultivation to ensure proper seed-soil contact.

4.4 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Own labor	hour	3,0	9,0	27,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Pre-sowing preparation and sowing	hour	3,0	35,0	105,0	100,0
Material para plantas	Grass seed mixture	kg/ha	16,412	5,6	91,91	100,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología					223,91
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología en USD					257,37

Comentarios:

Labor and pre-sowing preparation and sowing also include travel time between sites. The total size of the farm is 31,2 hectares. An area of 4103 m² falls under the restricted buffer strip zone at his farm.

4.5 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Momento/ frequencia
1.	Mulching/mowing	2 times per year
2.	Pruning and clearing of overgrowth	1 time, winter time

Comentarios:

4103 m² of agricultural land represents the buffer strips that the farmer actively manages and maintains. Pruning or cutting of woody vegetation, such as trees or shrubs, when they begin to encroach on agricultural land near the riverbank. Farmers typically carry out this work in winter, but it is difficult to estimate the cost, as it can vary significantly depending on the extent of overgrowth.

4.6 Costos e insumos necesarios para actividades de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (por año)

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Mulching/mowing	hours	6,0	32,0	192,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Pruning and clearing of overgrowth	hours	4,0	4,5	18,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Own labor	hours	10,0	9,0	90,0	100,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					300,0
Costos totales para mantener la Tecnología en USD					344,83

Comentarios:

Opportunity costs were calculated based on the loss of arable land due to the establishment of buffer zones in 2024 on Farm Ropic (total farm size: 32,2 ha, of which 28,6 ha is arable land). The planned crop rotation for that year included wheat, oil pumpkins, barley, and maize. The income foregone represents the estimated revenue that could have been generated from these crops on the area now designated as buffer strips (a total of 4103 m² of arable land).
The estimated income losses by crop type are:
Winter wheat: 113.52 €
Oil pumpkin: 396.80 €
Winter barley: 120.60 €
Grain maize: 68.04 €.

4.7 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Exact costs are difficult to estimate as they depend heavily on the specific location. If regular maintenance, such as mulching/mowing, is carried out, annual costs remain low, and pruning and clearing of overgrowth work is likely unnecessary. Costs are calculated for farm Ropič.

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

Indique si la Tecnología se aplica específicamente en:

• situaciones cóncavas

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre topografía :

There are depressions, settlements are in the valley, concave type.

5.3 Suelos

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

¿La salinidad del agua es un problema?

No

¿Se está llevando a cabo la inundación del área? :

Sí

Frecuencia:

frecuentemente

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre calidad y cantidad de agua:

Hydromelioration was carried out in the area, a drainage system and water retention systems (e.g. ponds and basins) were arranged.

5.5 Biodiversidad

5.6 Las características de los usuarios de la tierra que aplican la Tecnología

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra usada por usuarios de tierra que aplican la Tecnología

5.8 Tenencia de tierra, uso de tierra y derechos de uso de agua

Tenencia de tierra:

• individual, con título

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• arrendamiento
• individual

Derechos de uso de agua:

• comunitarios (organizado)

Especifique:

Based on national legal system.

5.9 Acceso a servicios e infraestructura

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

Ingreso y costos

Impactos socioculturales

Impactos ecológicos

Ciclo de agua/ escurrimiento de sedimento

Suelo

Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

Reducción de riesgos de desastres y riesgos climáticos

Especifique la evaluación de los impactos en el sitio (mediciones):

The data provided are not based on direct measurements but are derived from statements by the land user (farmer) and expert judgement from an agricultural adviser. They reflect practical experience and informed estimates rather than measured field data.

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

Especifique la evaluación de los impactos fuera del emplazamiento (medidas):

The data provided are not based on direct measurements but are derived from statements by the land user (farmer) and expert judgement from an agricultural adviser. They reflect practical experience and informed estimates rather than measured field data.

6.3 Exposición y sensibilidad de la Tecnología al cambio climático gradual y a extremos relacionados al clima/ desastres (desde la percepción de los usuarios de tierras)

Cambio climático gradual

Cambio climático gradual

	Estación	Incremento o reducción	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
temperatura anual		incrementó	moderadamente
temperatura estacional	verano	incrementó	moderadamente
temperatura estacional	primavera	incrementó	moderadamente
temperatura estacional	otoño	incrementó	moderadamente
temperatura estacional	invierno	incrementó	moderadamente
lluvia estacional	verano	incrementó	muy bien
lluvia estacional	primavera	incrementó	muy bien
lluvia estacional	otoño	disminuyó	moderadamente

Extremos (desastres) relacionados al clima

Desastres climatológicos:

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
tormenta de lluvia local	muy bien

Desastres climatológicos

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
ola de calor	bien

Desastres hidrológicos

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
inundación general (río)	muy bien
inundación repentina	muy bien

6.4 Análisis costo-beneficio

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de establecimiento (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

Comentarios:

Establishment costs are high, including soil preparation, seeding, and potential fencing, while the loss of productive land immediately reduces farm income. Subsidies may offset some costs, but they do not fully compensate for the initial financial impact. In a long-term benefits such as improved soil stability, water quality, and flood protection reduce future expenses. Over time, subsidies, reduced erosion, and potential fodder production help balance the initial investment.

Maintenance costs, such as mowing or mulching and tree maintenance, add labor and equipment expenses, but the absence of fertilizer and pesticide costs helps balance them. Subsidies for maintaining buffer strips further offset these recurrent costs, keeping short-term financial impact neutral. Once vegetation is established, maintenance costs decrease, requiring only occasional mowing or grazing. Over time, benefits like erosion control, improved soil health, and reduced flood damage outweigh the minimal upkeep expenses, making the practice economically sustainable.

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

• > 50%

Si tiene la información disponible, cuantifique (número de hogares y/o área cubierta):

All farmers in the area must comply with the implementation of riparian buffer strips as part of the GAEC 4 standard under CAP conditionality. This means that all agricultural land users with fields adjacent to watercourses are required to establish and maintain these protective strips, ensuring compliance with national and EU environmental regulations.

De todos quienes adoptaron la Tecnología, ¿cuántos lo hicieron espontáneamente, por ej. sin recibir nada de incentivos/ materiales:

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptación

¿La tecnología fue modificada recientemente para adaptarse a las condiciones cambiantes?

Sí

otros (especifique):

CAP

Especifique la adaptación de la Tecnología (diseño, material/ especies, etc.):

The requirements for riparian buffer strips have been updated to align with GAEC 4 conditionality and the EU Strategic Plan Regulation. The establishment of buffer strips is now mandatory along first-order watercourses (15 m wide), second-order watercourses (5 m wide), and drainage ditches (3 m wide).
Within these buffer zones, the use of organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as plant protection products (PPPs), is strictly prohibited. Ploughing is not allowed, but shallow tillage is permitted for maintenance (mowing, mulching, or grazing) and for preparing soil for sowing approved crops.
The buffer strips can be covered with grass, grass-legume mixtures, clover, alfalfa, naturally occurring vegetation, shrubs, or trees. Livestock grazing is permitted but must not alter the structure of the riverbank. Animals cannot be supplementary fed within the buffer zones and must be provided drinking water only at designated, controlled locations in small groups to minimize environmental impact.

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Buffer strips stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
They reduce the impact of flooding on agricultural land.
Less leaching of nutrients and plant protection products into water.
Additional turning point and driving path for machines.
Establishing and maintaining buffer strips can qualify farmers for financial incentives and support programs.
Additional shelters for wildlife.

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
These buffers effectively filter out nutrients, pesticides, and sediments from agricultural runoff, thereby enhancing the quality of nearby water bodies.
By stabilizing stream banks, riparian buffers reduce soil erosion, preserving valuable topsoil and maintaining land productivity.
They provide critical habitats for various wildlife species, promoting biodiversity and creating wildlife corridors in agricultural landscapes.
Riparian buffer strips contribute to ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and pollination, supporting broader environmental goals.

6.8 Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos de la Tecnología y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
The buffer zones are too wide, significantly reducing cultivated land area, which negatively impacts crop yields and farm income.	Increase subsidies and financial incentives for farmers to compensate for the loss of productive land within riparian buffer strips.
Maintenance tasks such as mowing, mulching, or controlled grazing require extra labor and resources and establishing buffer strips involves expenses for seeds, machinery, soil preparation, and potential fencing.	Provide additional payments for ongoing maintenance activities or investment support to offset initial establishment costs.
The legislation and administrative requirements are complex, involving numerous regulations that farmers find difficult to understand and follow.	Provide more accessible, user-friendly information, along with targeted advisory services and educational programs to help farmers better navigate these rules.

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
In certain conditions, the redirected flow of water due to buffer strips may weaken streambanks, leading to erosion and land loss.	Designing buffer zones with appropriate vegetation, width and adapted to local conditions, and regularly monitoring the situation.
Over time, buffer strips can become saturated with nutrients, reducing their effectiveness and possibly turning them into sources of pollution.	Regular vegetation management, harvesting or removal of biomass to prevent nutrient accumulation. Crop rotation or periodic rejuvenation of buffer zone vegetation to maintain its filtering capacity.
Proper upkeep involves tasks like weed control, pruning, replanting, and protection against wildlife, increasing the workload for farmers.	Provide farmers with targeted financial support or subsidies for maintenance tasks, promote low-maintenance vegetation species, and offer technical assistance or training in efficient management practices.
Initial setup requires investment in planting, while ongoing maintenance demands additional labor and resources.	Offer financial incentives, subsidies, or cost-sharing programs to cover initial establishment expenses, and provide ongoing support or training to minimize labor and maintenance costs.

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.2 Vínculos a las publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Cole, L. J., Stockan, J., & Helliwell, R. (2020). Managing riparian buffer strips to optimise ecosystem services: A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 296, 106891.

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.106891

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Macleod, C. J. A., Haygarth, P. M., et al. (2022). Impacts of different vegetation in riparian buffer strips on runoff and suspended sediment loss. Environmental Research Communications, 4(1), 015001.

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ac3c2b

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Dlamini, J. C., Cardenas, L. M., Tesfamariam, E. H., Dunn, R. M., Loick, N., Charteris, A. F., Cocciaglia, L., Vangeli, S., Blackwell, M. S. A., Upadhayay, H. R., et al. (2022). Riparian buffer strips influence nitrogen losses as nitrous oxide and leached N from upslope permanent pasture. Agriculture, Ecosystems &

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2022.108031

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Lešnik, T., Bogovič, D., Pokupec, D., & Borec, A. (2024). The impact of riparian zones along rivers under the new CAP in Slovenia. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 25(4), 1185–1192.

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/25.4.4348

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. (2024). Unified Application 2024: Guidelines for the implementation of interventions under the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027. Ljubljana, Slovenia.

URL:

https://www.kgzs.si/uploads/eiv24/NAVODILA%201/00_VELIKA_NAVODILA_2024_-_CELOTA_-_28_5_24.pdf