1.2 Detalhes do contato das pessoas capacitadas e instituições envolvidas na avaliação e documentação da tecnologia

Nome do projeto que facilitou a documentação/avaliação da Tecnologia (se relevante)

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

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/ avaliação da Tecnologia (se relevante)

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

1.3 Condições em relação ao uso da informação documentada através de WOCAT

O/a compilador/a e a(s) pessoa(s) capacitada(s) aceitam as condições relativas ao uso de dados documentados através da WOCAT:

Sim

1.4 Declaração de sustentabilidade da tecnologia descrita

A tecnologia descrita aqui é problemática em relação a degradação da terra de forma que não pode ser declarada uma tecnologia de gestão sustentável de terra?

Não

2.1 Descrição curta da tecnologia

Definição da tecnologia:

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 Descrição detalhada da tecnologia

Descrição:

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 Fotos da tecnologia

2.5 País/região/locais onde a tecnologia foi aplicada e que estão cobertos nesta avaliação

2.6 Data da implementação

Caso o ano exato seja desconhecido, indique a data aproximada:

• menos de 10 anos atrás (recentemente)

2.7 Introdução da tecnologia

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

3.1 Principal/principais finalidade(s) da tecnologia

• Reduz, previne, recupera a degradação do solo
• Preserva ecossistema
• Protege uma bacia/zonas a jusante – em combinação com outra tecnologia
• Preservar/melhorar a biodiversidade

3.2 Tipo(s) atualizado(s) de uso da terra onde a tecnologia foi aplicada

Uso do solo misturado dentro da mesma unidade de terra:

Não

Comentários:

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 O uso do solo mudou devido à implementação da Tecnologia?

O uso do solo mudou devido à implementação da Tecnologia?

• Sim (Por favor, preencha as perguntas abaixo com relação ao uso do solo antes da implementação da Tecnologia)

Uso do solo misturado dentro da mesma unidade de terra:

Não

3.4 Abastecimento de água

Abastecimento de água para a terra na qual a tecnologia é aplicada:

• Precipitação natural

3.5 Grupo de GST ao qual pertence a tecnologia

• Solo/cobertura vegetal melhorada
• Gestão de água de superfície (nascente, rio, lagos, mar)
• Gestão/proteção de zonas úmidas

3.6 Medidas de GST contendo a tecnologia

Comentários:

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 Principais tipos de degradação da terra abordados pela tecnologia

3.8 Redução, prevenção ou recuperação da degradação do solo

Especifique o objetivo da tecnologia em relação a degradação da terra:

• Prevenir degradação do solo
• Reduzir a degradação do solo

4.1 Desenho técnico da tecnologia

4.2 Informação geral em relação ao cálculo de entradas e custos

Especifique como custos e entradas foram calculados:

• por área de tecnologia

Outro/moeda nacional (especifique):

EUR

Se for relevante, indique a taxa de câmbio do USD para moeda local (por exemplo, 1 USD = 79,9 Real): 1 USD =:

0,87

4.3 Atividades de implantação

	Atividade	Periodicidade (estação do ano)
1.	Purchase grass seed mixture	1st year
2.	Pre-sowing preparation and sowing	1st year

Comentários:

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 Custos e entradas necessárias para a implantação

	Especifique a entrada	Unidade	Quantidade	Custos por unidade	Custos totais por entrada	% dos custos arcados pelos usuários da terra
Mão-de-obra	Own labor	hour	3,0	9,0	27,0	100,0
Mão-de-obra	Pre-sowing preparation and sowing	hour	3,0	35,0	105,0	100,0
Material vegetal	Grass seed mixture	kg/ha	16,412	5,6	91,91	100,0
Custos totais para a implantação da tecnologia					223,91
Custos totais para o estabelecimento da Tecnologia em USD					257,37

Comentários:

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 Atividades recorrentes/manutenção

	Atividade	Periodicidade/frequência
1.	Mulching/mowing	2 times per year
2.	Pruning and clearing of overgrowth	1 time, winter time

Comentários:

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 Custos e entradas necessárias pata a manutenção/atividades recorrentes (por ano)

	Especifique a entrada	Unidade	Quantidade	Custos por unidade	Custos totais por entrada	% dos custos arcados pelos usuários da terra
Mão-de-obra	Mulching/mowing	hours	6,0	32,0	192,0	100,0
Mão-de-obra	Pruning and clearing of overgrowth	hours	4,0	4,5	18,0	100,0
Mão-de-obra	Own labor	hours	10,0	9,0	90,0	100,0
Custos totais para a manutenção da tecnologia					300,0
Custos totais de manutenção da Tecnologia em USD					344,83

Comentários:

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 Fatores mais importantes que afetam os custos

Descreva os fatores mais determinantes que afetam os custos:

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 Topografia

Indique se a tecnologia é aplicada especificamente em:

• Posições côncavas

Comentários e outras especificações sobre a topografia:

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

5.3 Solos

5.4 Disponibilidade e qualidade de água

A salinidade da água é um problema?

Não

Ocorre inundação da área?

Sim

Regularidade:

Esporadicamente

Comentários e outras especificações sobre a qualidade e a quantidade da água:

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

5.5 Biodiversidade

5.6 Características dos usuários da terra que utilizam a tecnologia

5.7 Área média de terrenos utilizados pelos usuários de terrenos que aplicam a Tecnologia

5.8 Propriedade de terra, direitos de uso da terra e de uso da água

Propriedade da terra:

• Indivíduo, intitulado

Direitos do uso da terra:

• Arrendado
• Indivíduo

Direitos do uso da água:

• Comunitário (organizado)

Especifique:

Based on national legal system.

5.9 Acesso a serviços e infraestrutura

6.1 Impactos no local mostrados pela tecnologia

Impactos socioeconômicos

Produção

Disponibilidade e qualidade de água

Renda e custos

Impactos socioculturais

Impactos ecológicos

Ciclo hídrico/escoamento

Solo

Biodiversidade: vegetação, animais

Clima e redução de riscos de desastre

Especificar a avaliação dos impactos no local (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.

6.2 Impactos externos mostrados pela tecnologia

Especificar a avaliação dos impactos fora do local (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 Exposição e sensibilidade da tecnologia às mudanças climáticas graduais e extremos/desastres relacionados ao clima (conforme o ponto de vista dos usuários da terra)

Mudança climática gradual

Mudança climática gradual

	Estação do ano	aumento ou diminuição	Como a tecnologia lida com isso?
Temperatura anual		aumento	moderadamente
Temperatura sazonal	verão	aumento	moderadamente
Temperatura sazonal	primavera	aumento	moderadamente
Temperatura sazonal	outono	aumento	moderadamente
Temperatura sazonal	inverno	aumento	moderadamente
Precipitação pluviométrica sazonal	verão	aumento	muito bem
Precipitação pluviométrica sazonal	primavera	aumento	muito bem
Precipitação pluviométrica sazonal	outono	redução/diminuição	moderadamente

Extremos (desastres) relacionados ao clima

Desastres meteorológicos

	Como a tecnologia lida com isso?
Temporal local	muito bem

Desastres climatológicos

	Como a tecnologia lida com isso?
Onde de calor	bem

Desastres hidrológicos

	Como a tecnologia lida com isso?
Inundação geral (rio)	muito bem
Inundação súbita	muito bem

6.4 Análise do custo-benefício

Como os benefícios se comparam aos custos de implantação (do ponto de vista dos usuários da terra)?

Como os benefícios se comparam aos custos recorrentes/de manutenção(do ponto de vista dos usuários da terra)?

Comentários:

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 Adoção da tecnologia

• > 50%

Se disponível, determine a quantidade (número de unidades familiares e/ou área abordada):

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 aqueles que adotaram a Tecnologia, quantos o fizeram espontaneamente, ou seja, sem receber nenhum incentivo/ pagamento material?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptação

A tecnologia foi recentemente modificada para adaptar-se as condições variáveis?

Sim

Outros (especificar):

CAP

Especifique a adaptação da tecnologia (desenho, material/espécie, 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 Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades da tecnologia

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do usuário da terra
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.

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada
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 Pontos fracos, desvantagens/riscos da tecnologia e formas de superá-los

Pontos fracos/desvantagens/riscos na visão do usuário da terra	Como eles podem ser superados?
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.

Pontos fracos/vantagens/riscos na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada	Como eles podem ser superados?
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/fontes de informação

7.2 Referências às publicações disponíveis

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

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

Disponível de onde? Custos?

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

Título, autor, ano, 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.

Disponível de onde? Custos?

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

Título, autor, ano, 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 &

Disponível de onde? Custos?

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

Título, autor, ano, 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.

Disponível de onde? Custos?

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

7.3 Links para informações on-line relevantes

Título/ descrição:

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