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)

Project (LLPPA) [Ethiopia]

It is a local level participatory planning approach.

• Compiler: Philippe Zahner
• 01/21/2009 midnight

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Closure of degraded land is made on land that has lost vegetation cover, has low soil fertility . To speed up the regeneration process applying some SWC activities and enrichment plantation will be necessary.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The degraded land is closed from human and animal interfrances for at least 3-5 years. Inorder to enhance the rehabilitation rate of the degraded land SWC activities, such as terracing, enrichment plantation and oversowing of grass species is considered. These practices enhances growth of natural vegetation and enriches biodiversity.

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:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Tigray

Further specification of location:

Ahferom

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 54.6 km2.

The bush land are closed and in some areas SWC activities were made and enrichment plantation has been done.

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

From churches and other religious areas

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

• Rhodes grass, local grasses

• Acacia saligna, grevellia, schinesmolle

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180Longest growing period from month to month: May - Oct

Grazing land

• free grazing

Forest/ woodlands

Products and services:

• Timber
• Fruits and nuts
• Other forest products
• Nature conservation/ protection

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion, deforestation, degradation, loss of biodiversity, reduction in land productivity

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low productivity and decline of soil fertility.

Other grazingland: free grazing

Other type of forest: area rehabilitation: lack of awarness

Problems / comments regarding forest use: In the closed forests enrichment plantation is undertaken. Individual woodlots are planted at homesteads. Currently individuals considered land less, poor and women are given land from the hillsides to plant and enclose them. The purpose is to enable individuals to generate income from it.

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• area closure (stop use, support restoration)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)

physical soil deterioration

• Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities

water degradation

• Ha: aridification

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wg: gully erosion / gullying

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities, Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (wood cutting), overgrazing (trampling, degraded cover-plant), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (agricultural causes), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (heavy rainfalls), poverty / wealth (lack of captial), land policy

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Also: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

8.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 120 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

length of structure, site guard/ha, number of seedlings

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour, slope

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1000-2500 m a.s.l.
Landforms: Also plateua/plains and hill slopes
Slopes on avereage: Also moderate and steep

5.3 Soils

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: Also moderately deep, deep and very shallow
Soil texture also coarse/light and fine/heavy
Soil fertility is low-medium
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium-good
Soil water storage capacity is low-medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

70% of the land users are average wealthy and own 70% of the land.
25% of the land users are poor and own 25% of the land.
5% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: Food for work

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

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

Land ownership:

• state

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

180000 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: because the benefits obtained are convincing and many land usrs want to practice it either individually, in groups or at a community level.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Meret