Short description of the best practice

The status of existing forests as well as other forest vegetation in the pilot area was assessed, including water bodies’ protective buffer strips, forest protective belts against erosion, windbreaks, shelterbelts, and others. Based on this data the shrub and tree planting program was prepared and developed. The main components of the program are as follows:
(i) Planting of forest belts for the protection of water bodies;
(ii) Tree planting on degraded land;
(iii) Ecological reconstruction of forests;
(iv) Agro-forestry practices.
Silvo-pastoral activities include planting of shrub and trees inside and on the perimeter of the pasture as green hedge in the scope to restrict cattle access to the water, thus reducing the impact of grazing on existing pastures.
Forest species were alternated with fruit tree when planting the new as well as rehabilitation of the existing soil and field shelterbelts. That increased the interest of land owners in project activities due to the economic importance of fruit trees which could be also attractive for the birds that are considered as an efficient preys against the pests.  As a result the following outputs were achieved: 132 hectares of shelterbelts for water protection; 112 hectares of improved anti-erosion forest belts; 50 hectares of improved pasture, 484 hectares of the existing forests rehabilitated and properly managed, a public awareness and education campaign on  environmental and ecological value of the forest developed and organised.|

Location

The eight communes which form the pilot area, namely Pascani, Lapusna, Sofia, Negrea, Carpineni, Minjir, Voinescu, and Tochile Raducani  Hincesti district, Republic of Moldova|

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

46603.0

Estimated population living in the location:

43238.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

The territory belongs to the Central Moldova Height and the Plain of Upper Prut. The landscape is hilly, very fragmented with a dense network of valleys, hollows and plains. Almost 80% of the land is situated on slope. The predominant length of the hillsides in Lapusna pilot area is 800-1000 m, often longer. The plane areas do not exceed 20% of the total of which the alluvial plains of Lapusna river and its tributaries as well as the many hollows take the biggest part. |
Chernozems (black soils) prevail in the soil composition (70% of the area) divided into several subtypes: argilo-illuvial, cambic, typical, carbonate and vertice. These soils are perfectly suited for agriculture. They are friable, permeable, have good water and air saturation and are easy to till. Chernozems are rich in organic matter (3-6% of humus). Alluvial soils are spread in the floodplain of the Lapusna river and its tributaries. The groundwater table is close to surface in these areas.|
Climate is moderately continental: the summers are warm and long, with temperatures averaging about 20°C, and the winters are relatively mild and dry, with January temperatures averaging -4°C. Annual rainfall, which ranges from around 500 millimeters; long dry spells are not unusual. The heaviest rainfall occurs in summer; heavy showers and thunderstorms are common.|

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

The principal activity of local farmers is crop farming; main arable crops are maize and wheat. The cultivation of grapes and fruits is another traditional element of agriculture in this area. Vineyards and orchards take a significant share in crops’ structure. Income is derived from sale of agricultural produce, including milk and eggs, from wetland products, such as fishing and hunting, but also from seasonal work at the small workshops in the surrounding communities.|
In accordance with the State Land Cadastre, the land ownership pattern in the Lapusna pilot area is as follows: from the total area destined for agricultural purposes, 29.1% was allocated to individual farmers as land shares, 10.5% was previously distributed to those villagers who did not have enough land in the household yards and 1.2 % was additionally allocated to private farmers from the reserve funds of the public authorities. |
Income depends much on weather conditions and agricultural policies.  Estimated average income per person is 45 US dollars per month for the last three years (no including this year).     

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

- Forest vegetation planted on the bank of Lapusna River diminishes the impact of run off as well as hinders the direct access of livestock to the water flow. The community effectively contribute to planting primarily with labor and no-specialized equipment and machinery. Broad involvement of young people in planting activities raises their knowledge on environmental issues.
- Local forestry service in close cooperation with mayoralties, schools, NGOs are involved in dissemination of information on project interventions what contribute to public education and involvement in planting and maintaining in good conditions of new plantations as well as existing forest in the commune/village.
- Forest service contributes with the available forest monitoring network to the project data base. |

Main problems addressed by the best practice

- Environmentally unsustainable crop and soil management practices;
|- Over-exploitation and illegal cutting of forests, leading to the destruction of forest belts and buffer strips; - Point and non-point sources of nutrient pollution, - Over-grazing.

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

(i) Reduction of nutrient discharge into water bodies. Forest vegetation will reduce the impact of run off in terms of nutrient transportation as well as soil fixation, in particular of the fertile top layer. Limitation of livestock access to water bodies through planting of shrub and trees on the banks would be another positive environmental impact.  
(ii)  Prevention of soil erosion. Shelter belts, windbreaks and other forest vegetation planted on the cultivated land would significantly contribute to the reducing of soil degradation in particular on sloped land.      
(iii) Improvement of soil structure and soil fertility. Anti-erosion activities combined with nutrient management, conservation tillage and crop rotation will increasingly improve the fertility and physical properties of the soil that would result in long-term beneficial impact on the soil quality and consequently on the agricultural production.  |

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Development and implementation of the shrub and tree planting program in order to establish a forest network capable of reducing soil erosion process and mitigation of nutrient pollution on agricultural land.

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Ecological reconstruction included special silvo-cultural techniques for regeneration of degraded commune forest as well as existing forest protective belts.  
The procurement and transportation of the necessary samplings and other generative material were performed according to national tendering procedures.
Mayoralties provided labor and other assistance as available.
Maintenance of the plantations is ensured by the State Forestry Service “Moldsilva”.
Agro-forestry consisted in planting of tree rows on cultivated lands, primarily of windbreaks and anti-erosion protective belts as well as creation of new parks.  |

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

RISP, State Forestry Service “Moldsilva, the Mayoralties”|

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• Programme/project-based initiative
• Programme/project-based initiative

Specify:

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

Local authorities, local population |

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

Shrub and tree planting was done by the State Forestry Service “Moldsilva” as the only agency which has the necessary technical facilities. It contributed with equipment, samples, and other reproductive material as well as technical assistance. The communes mainly contributed with labor. The Mayors were responsible for the organization of planting on commune land.|

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

By means of what?

• Consultation
• Other (please specify)

Specify:

- Some participated in discussing the areas and possible impacts
- Plantation of forest trees.

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

The economic levels stayed practically unchanged, while social cohesion and culture has somewhat improved from exposure to new things, common work, participation in training events. The expected social impact of forests planted within the APCP are significant, especially in the long run. |
People learn to live with the new landscape and with the new problems associated with it (need to guard their crops from greater numbers of wild life, etc.)  |
Expected changes include change in increased jobs for people, increases in agricultural productivity, and changes in farming systems (e.g., through introduction of agro forestry technologies).  |
• While the variety of both flora and fauna species has increased, the main environmental indicators are largely the same.  
• The expected environmental impact of forests planted are significant, especially in the long run. Expected changes include change in existing land use management, change in landscape, changes in erosion rates, etc. These in their turn are expected to lead to social and economic impacts on people.|
The shrub and tree planting program contributes to filling gaps in the resource and income flows from other resources, and providing complementary inputs often critical to the continued functioning of agricultural and household systems, particularly for the poor.|

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

No such impact was registered

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide should increase forest growth. However, drought may limit these effects and some species may in the near term be more vulnerable to fire, insects and diseases. The rate of change, as well as the number and severity of extreme events, will affect both the magnitude of impacts.
Newly created forest plantations as well as ecologically rehabilitated forests will enhance the diversity of flora and fauna species in the region. Shelterbelts and other shrub and tree vegetation will improve the connection between other natural habitats and will facilitate the migration, thus providing better feeding and other living conditions for wild animals and birds.  
The biologic diversity in the area has definitely improved, but no research data are available yet.  The conclusion about improved diversity is based on local people's observations.  The zone has attracted wild migratory and nonmigratory birds, small animals and insects.  All this is contributing to preservation of endangered species.|
Forests are the major carbon pools, and it is a potential major contributors to the mitigation of climate warming through their carbon sequestering capacity. Newly created forest plantations as well as ecologically rehabilitated forests would have a positively impact on climate change mitigation.
Local people have become more aware of their own role in planning for a preparing for extreme weather events.  They realize that they should adapt to nature and plan their interventions carefully. |

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Yes

Where?

The shrub and tree planting program was a catalyst for extension of the tree planting practices on the degraded lands, as well as forest regeneration. The area planted with with trees of degraded lands by State Agency Moldsilva in other localities of the country is 721 ha.|

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

1.  Clear explanation of the benefits
2.  Low productivity in the zone and expectation of its improvement upon change
3.  Business opportunities related to tourism, etc. |

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

Related to human resources

People should be consulted not only regarding expected benefits but also in respect to expected problems, such as damage to crops by wild boars, protection regime and less access to the zone for a certain period, degradation of some closely situated agricultural zones through flooding of the wetland. Otherwise the project is compromised to a certain extent. |

Related to financial aspects

Rural people do not realize the benefits to health through better environment, or through better landscape as financial benefits and opportunities.  These should be explained and  emphasized with figures.|

Related to technical aspects

Most rural people are conservative when called upon to change technology or crop.  These should be explained and  emphasized with figures.