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

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

INIDA (INIDA) - Cape Verde

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 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Small walls of stone built on hillsides with slopes generally greater than 40%, second-level curves, which ensures a good infiltration and contributes to reducing the erosive power of water runoff.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Are usually constructed of stone with a height of 80 to 90 cm and width of 40 to 50 cm and a foundation of 30 cm, usually built on hillsides with slopes greater than 40%. The space between two consecutive Muret varies between six (6) and 15 (fifteen) meters depending on slope, type of soil and plant cover and frequency of rainfall. Top Order capture water runoff by encouraging the development of plant species. When complemented by banquets and entertainment channels to facilitate drainage of surface water to the adjacent lines. Also this technique can be complemented with vegetative measures.

This technique is used mainly for agricultural land in rain with the aim of protecting slopes from erosion, and to practice the culture of Canjanus cajan and other forage species.

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

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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):

• Agro-pastoralism (incl. integrated crop-livestock)

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Loss of soil by water runoff, reducing its thickness and fertility
Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Yes
Ranching: Yes
Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

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

• agroforestry
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Inappropriate use of many areas), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Cultivation of maize and groundnut in areas unsuitable especially in highly inclined slopes), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Cutting of trees for firewood production), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Chuvas irregulares, de pouca duração mas de grande intesidade na maioria das vezes), droughts, poverty / wealth (A pobreza conduz à falta de conhecimento, e a necessidade de um meio de sustento que poderá ser qualquer recurso com mercado), education, access to knowledge and support services (A good education and awareness to help consumers and new opportunities for livelihood for the owners.)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), overgrazing, population pressure (Large population densities lead to over-exploitation of limited resources)

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

ECV

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

80.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Excavation
2.	Foundation
3.	Elevation

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	Labour	ha	1.0	11718.0	11718.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	236.0	236.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					11954.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					149.43

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 3 month(s)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor; slope.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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 fertility: Low (ranked 1) and medium (ranked 2)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Medium (ranked 1) and good (ranked 2)
Soil water storage capacity: Low (ranked 1, skeletal soils with low storage capacity) and medium (ranked 2)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: Also >50m (ranked 2)
Availability of surface water: Medium (ranked 1, Often through galleries, springs, wells and dams) and poor/none (ranked 2)

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2
Annual population growth: > 4% (0.5%).
80% of the land users are average wealthy (50%).
3% of the land users are poor (1%).

Level of mechanization: Manual work (Ranked 1, often through galleries, springs, wells and dams) and mechanized (ranked 2, use of tractor in some plots)

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Muret are effective in the stabilization of slopes.
Improving significantly the infiltration of rain water especially when complemented with vegetative measures.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Relatively expensive and laborious process.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Técnica de Conservação de Solos e Água em Cabo Verde, MPAR &CILSS, 1994

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Conservação de Solos e Água (Teoria e Prática), Sabino, António Advino, 1991

Available from where? Costs?

Library of CFA - INIDA

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Field Trip Guid - DESIRA , INIDA, Cape Verde, 2008

Available from where? Costs?

Library of INIDA

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Relatório de Avaliação Inicial Do Impacto das Realizações de Conservvação de Solos e Água em 1993 do PROJECTO WDP, WARD, 1995

Available from where? Costs?

Library of INIDA