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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

23/09/2014

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:

Contour-felled log erosion barriers is a hillslope stabilization technique.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A foreseen wildfire is expected for the summer 2015 in the Caroig mountain range. Area was afforested by Aleppo pines during last XX century and nowadays landscape is composed by mature Aleppo pines at different stages of development and, the understory shrub vegetation.
The research team of the University of Valencia will implement an experiment based on the contour-felled log erosion barriers technique to capture and measure post-fire soil losses in a natural burned landscape

Purpose of the Technology: Contour-felled log erosion barriers are designed to increase detention and infiltration of overland flow, thereby reducing runoff and sediment transport capacity

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The standard installation technique consists of felling burned trees and laying them on the ground along the slope contour. Each log is anchored in place and gaps between the log and the soil surface are filled with soil to create a storage basin on the upslope side of the log where overland flow is trapped

Natural / human environment: The Aleppo pine trees in the region are typically planted as monoculture for wood production. The landscape reflects a long history of intense land management, with a mosaic of (semi-)natural and man-made agricultural (terraces) and afforested lands. Since the 1970´s, however, wildfires have increased dramatically in frequency and extent, driven primarily by socio-economic changes.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): When high fire severity, it is expected a runoff and soil erosion increase, resulting in a decrease of on-site fertility and derived off-site effects such as loss of water quality, reservoirs water volume storage, higher risk of flooding and human beings damage.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Loss of wood resources.

Plantation forestry: Post-fire assessment

Forest products and services: Other forest products / uses (honey, medical, etc.)

3.3 Further information about land use

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180Longest growing period from month to month: February to June

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• natural and semi-natural forest management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (monoculture plantations are prone to forest fires), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Forest fires), population pressure (depopulation)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Diagram of the contour felled log erosion barriers. Extracted from P. R. Robichaud, J. W. Wagenbrenner, R. E. Brown, P. M. Wohlgemuthand J. L. Beyers. 2008. Evaluating the effectiveness of contour-felled log erosion barriers as a post-fire runoff and erosion mitigation treatment in the western United States. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 17: 255-273.

Location: Valencia. Spain

Date: 06/05/2013

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (Qualification is mandatory in order to choose landscape area to implement and how to do.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Construction material (wood): Partially burned logs are utilized for barriers contruction

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also steep (31-60%)
Landforms: Also footslopes
Altitudinal zone: 501-1000 m a.s.l. (650-700m)

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: Very shallow (Leptosol) and shallow (Cambisol)
Soil fertility is medium
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium
Soil water storage capacity is high

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

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)

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
Contour felled log erosion barriers in a post-fire environment reduce soil erosion and off-site effects.