Technologies

Technology of fastening Aral sea's drained bottom' s soil [Kazakhstan]

no

technologies_1089 - Kazakhstan

Completeness: 76%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Salimov Abdul

RGP, SPC of forest facility

Kazakhstan

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
SPC of Forest Facility (SPC of Forest Facility) - Kazakhstan

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

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

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Technology of fastening Aral Sea's drained bottom's soil

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Planting of the saplings on the lots of the dried seabed of the Aral Sea was done in holes and uninterrupted furrows, which were formed by hands or cultivated KON – 2.8 PM . Depth of holes and furrows is 20-25 cm. Distance between holes was 1.5-2 m. Furrows were perpendicular to the prevailing winds (west-east) and placing mould in several options: 1 – moulds on both sides; 2 – the same from the southern side of a furrow; 3 – the same from the northern side. Furrows alternated with holes rows. Length of rows variants in repetition was 100 m. Saplings were filled up by hands or in rows in 1-2 meters, distance between rows was 2-2.5 meters. For the last 30 years Aral Sea level is falling and in 2001 it fell by 20 meters. More over 35 thousands sq. km of sea bottom came to the surface. Pace of falling during the last ten years is 0.9-0.8 meters per year according to the instrumental observations, that’s why area of dry land increases by 3-4 thousand sq. km annually.
Formation of moving sand dunes with the height of 2-5 meters, which move at the speed 20-30 meters per year in the southern and south-eastern direction, occurs on the area of more over 10 thousand sq. km. Width of dune ridges and ranges achieves 10-15 km and length up to 40-60 km. Ecosystems of brackish waste grounds lacking flora, difficult to traverse and dangerous were formed non the area 20 thousand sq. km of the former sea bottom. They are the source of dust-salt material to the major oasis agriculture in the delta of Syrdaria River.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Kazakhstan

Region/ State/ Province:

Kyzylorda

Further specification of location:

Kazalinsk state

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

4.0

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 1-10 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 4 km2.

only 2% from 35000 sq.km of Aral sea's drained bottom

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • during experiments/ research
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Was developed by kazakh - investigation institute of forest facility (1996-2001)

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Silvo-pastoralism

Cropland

Cropland

  • Tree and shrub cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 208; Longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Oct

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Nomadism
Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

  • (Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands
(Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands: Specify management type:
  • Clear felling
  • tugay forests and combseller
  • Saxaul (cf. Haloxylon ammodendron)
Products and services:
  • Fuelwood
  • Grazing/ browsing
  • Nature conservation/ protection
Comments:

Trees/ shrubs species: saxsaul, combseller

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): exudative salinization, forming of the salty ring on the surface, lov percent of natural overgroving.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): rarely distribution of the bush-trees and presence of bared heathlands, which makes territory useful for land-use.

Grazingland comments: private sector of peasanting and farming predominate

Clear felling of (semi-)natural forests: stocking up for fuel, every year

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Degradation of saxaul and tugay forests in result of desertification processes: subsoil waters level reduction, deflation, poverty of population. Constant reorganization of forest facilities.

Forest products and services: fuelwood, grazing / browsing, nature conservation / protection

Type of grazing system comments: private sector of peasanting and farming predominate

Constraints of infrastructure network (roads, railways, pipe lines, power lines)

Constraints of wastelands / deserts / glaciers / swamps

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

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A4: Subsurface treatment
structural measures

structural measures

Comments:

Secondary measures: structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: cover cropping, breaking compacted topsoil

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -against wind

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (agricultural causes - Excessive water-fence on an irrigation from the rivers Syrdarya and Amurdarya.)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (High wind activity in region (prevalence of winds with a speed up to 5 min/sec).)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Fragment of accommodation grooves on district with appeared self-sowing saxaul

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, improvement of soil structure

Cover cropping
Material/ species: saxsaul
Quantity/ density: 150
Remarks: protective planting

Breaking compacted topsoil
Remarks: breaking salturing up before planting by layout

Aligned: -against wind
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 150
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1,5-2,0
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 30-35

Trees/ shrubs species: saxsaul, combseller

Structural measure: sediment sand / trap
Vertical interval between structures (m): 3
Spacing between structures (m): 2
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0,5
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0,7
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0,7
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0,5
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0,7
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 100

Construction material (earth): fine-grained sand

Construction material (wood): saxsaul

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

15.00

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. groove cutting summer
2. slips planting spring, autumn
3. groove cutting summer
4. creating traps for sand after planting

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 Traps for sand, cutting and planting persons/day 3.0 15.0 45.0 66.0
Equipment Others ha 1.0 20.0 20.0 29.0
Plant material Others ha 1.0 125.0 125.0 83.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 190.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 190.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. groove cutting spring, autumn / every year
2. slips planting spring, autumn / every year

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

saxsaul planting in the 100m * 100m. Sized beared heathlands due to enclosed SWC circuit

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

transportation of technique to the work place and gooves cutting

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Average long-termed rainfall quantity makes 124 mm per year

Agro-climatic zone
  • arid

Arid deserted

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Weak inclined primary -sea plain

Landforms: It is complicated with accumulative forms of colian relief

Altitudinal zone: 36 - 51 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil depth on average: Soils were not formed yet, horizons are absent

Topsoil organic matter: 0,19%-0,24%

Soil fertility is low with 0,24% of humus

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor in suclay, medium for clay and good loam-sandy and sandy soils

Soil water storage capacity is low - very low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • very poor
  • poor
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • mechanized/ motorized
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: negative

10% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
60% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: catche fish grow vegetable - melon cultures and realizate them

Market orientation of production system: Firewood stocking and raise of forage capasity.

Level of mechanization: Using shovel for manual labour and tractor MTZ-30 for mechanised labour.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Comments:

Also 2-5 ha

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

fodder production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

In adverse years

fodder quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

In adverse years

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Exspenses for fuel decrease

Other socio-economic impacts

employment at farm

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Production increase

groove cuting tools

unavailable
available
Comments/ specify:

High rent payment for technique

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

Population's employment

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Ecological education

educational and cultural level of former members

low
high
Comments/ specify:

Native population's not understanding benefits of using SWC

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Humus accumulation

Soil

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Salt removal of top horizons

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

30

Quantity after SLM:

10

Comments/ specify:

Increase of kinds structure

Other ecological impacts

biodiversity

diminished
enhanced
Comments/ specify:

Activity of wind stream decrease

soil fertility

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Avoidance of blowing

fuel supply

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

4-5 hectare per year

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Soil surface's erosion stop's

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Long-term returns:

slightly positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Long-term returns:

slightly positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

13 households covering 1 percent of stated area

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 11-50%
Comments:

10 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

3 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: small farmer's economical vell-being improves

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
forest territory are restoring

How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxaul communities life
soil deflation's speed and temps decrease

How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxaul communities life
microclimate conditions increase

How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxaul communities life
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
forests area and output of fuel increase

How can they be sustained / enhanced? during saxauls plantings life (40-50) years
field-dust carrying out is prevented

How can they be sustained / enhanced? during communities vitual activity
environmental and sanitary-epidemiological contitions improves

How can they be sustained / enhanced? during technology SWC existence
Additional work places are created

How can they be sustained / enhanced? in period technology SWC application

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?
absence of enough qvantity of enough quantity of technique by means of cooperative association of facilities
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
high rent payment for technique additional purchase of the mechanised means
Low interest of local social institutions to pay big attention for ecological education

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

"to study process of overgroving and to develop offers on assistance to natural reneval of saxaul black on the grounds of Aral Sea's naked bottom"

Available from where? Costs?

RGP,SPC of forest facility. Kirov str.,58 city Schuchinsk, Akmola region

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