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

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

Department of Resources and Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University (Department of Resources and Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University) - China

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 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Check dam is a kind of sediment storage dam of 5m below and is built in channels to control the down cutting of channel bed.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Xifeng county is one of the key areas of soil erosion control in China. In order to reduce the local soil erosion, and also to bring certain economic benefits to local residents, the Ministry of Water Resources is in charge of check dam construction activities.
Check dam is widely used in controlling soil erosion. The training is a main approach to promotion of the check dam technology. It is necessary to mobilize local people to participate in construction, while providing to them some cash subsidies. In such a way local people can get economic benefits, and strengthen their awareness and
knowledge of soil and water conservation.

Methods: Main objectives: (1) Elevating erosion basis of channel bed to prevent the channel down cutting and channel bank expansion, and decrease channel gradient. (2) Storing silt and reducing the amount of sediment, transported into the rivers. (3) Decreasing channel flow rates and reducing the flood risk of the lower reaches. (4) Debris flow control by use of strong permanent check dams. (5) Making channel silted to form sediment-covered terraces for future use.

Stages of implementation: Implemetation procedure: (1) site selection and design; (2) material preparation, labor recruitment and temporary road buliding; (3) main project construction.

Other important information: The construction cost of check dam is determined by project quality requirements, difficulty of construction, work size, construction technology, and some other factors. Regional factors have also an important impact. Therefore, the investment is mainly made by government with local supporting funds. Check dam construction is often
associated with plant cultivation, aquaculture design and other measures to make comprehensive use of sediment retention and water storage. It can increase agricultural productivity and farmers’ income in addition to improve local environment.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused on SLM only

1) Fixation and raise of erosion basis, preventing down cutting of channel and channel bank expansion. 2) Making channel silted to form sediment-covered terraces for farming. 3) Decreasing channel gradient and flow rates and reducing the flood risk of the lower reaches.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: 1) Serious debris flow which causes tremendous economic loss and threats to the residents safety. 2) Serious soil erosion, especially down cutting and expansion of gully. 3) Poor local economy, lack of funds and technology for soil erosion control.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	external support	Mainly:public meetings; partly: workshops/seminars; Series of site meetings to explain the SWC to the land users.
planning	external support	Mainly: public meetings; partly: workshops/seminars
implementation	interactive	casual labour
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Mainly: interviews/questionnaires; partly: reporting;
Research	self-mobilization	on-station

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• politicians/ leaders

Explain:

consultative.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by by politicians / leaders. directive (top-down).

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

• extensionists/trainers, politicians/decision makers

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• public meetings
• courses

Subjects covered:

The approach provide the training about the technology, such as check dam dimension and materials etc.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

The Basic Farmland Construction; Key elements: Government plan, design, distribute, Farmers implement; 1) Advisory service was carried out through: government's existing extension system 2) Advisory service was carried out through: government's existing extension system; Extension staff: mainly government employees 3) Target groups for extension: land users; Activities: Field visit and demonstration

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; At each government level, there is a SWC division which is in charge of SWC activities including extension.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: debris flow frequency,speed,volume, time and damage

technical aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: damage degree

socio-cultural aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: accredited attitude for debris flow control and part icipation in check dam building.

economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: control area

area treated aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: science and rationality of Management

no. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: None

management of Approach aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: None

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Improving the construction method so as to make the check dams much durable.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Manual and criteria for standardization design and construction.

Research was carried out both on station and on-farm

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 100,000-1,000,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (national): 90.0%; local community / land user(s) (-): 10.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

Comments:

Before 1970s, the SWC activities were obligation, but after that some subsidies were provided by government.

Labour can also be voluntarely or rewarded with other material support

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Yes

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, etc.):

Interest rate charged: 2.0%

Interest was lower than market rate.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Mitigating damage caused by debris flow and floods (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Making planning and design on watershed management)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Erosion control to decrease sediment (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Check dams building.)
More effective use of rainfall resources (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Develop compound management with cultivation and aquaculture.)
Increasing farmer’s income (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Completing irrigation facility and establishing economic forest)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
After abolition of the compulsory labor and accumulative labor service, the enthusiasm and willingness of farmers to participation is lowered	Some measures shoule be taken by government at all levels to stimulte and encourage farmers to participate in the construction work

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Large investment.	Multi-level investment system, which includes national investment with local support, labor input by farmers, and use of foreign and social funds.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Special Planning of Soil and Water Conservation in Xinzhou Region , Shanxi Province (1986-2000)

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

The application of the Check dam with willow in controlling gully erosion.Tu xingwen. Soil and water conservation in China, 1986.

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

How to design the dry masonry dam in the Hanjiachuan watershed. Tianyuzhu, Wangzuliang. Beijing. Water conservation in Beijing, 2000.3

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Consideration about the check dam design and application. Liu shunzong. Soil and water conservation in China, 1990.6

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.