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

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

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

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

Comments:

The described SLM technology is conserving soil water and soil from erosion

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The presented technology of leaving rock fragments in/on the soil in order to reduce soil evaporation and erosion in sloping areas greatly contributes to soil and water conservation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The described technology is applied in semi-arid or dry sub-humid environments with an annual rainfall between 250-500 mm. This technology was mainly found in environments of the before mentioned climatic conditions on hilly areas (slope: 11-30%) and in shallow (depth: 21-50 cm) or moderately deep soils (depth: 51-80 cm) cultivated with perennial crops. These soils present moderate concentrations of soil organic matter (1-3%) and do not face any flood or salinity problems. The socioeconomic environment of these areas is characterized by middle-aged or elderly producers who mainly cultivate leased medium-sized fields with mechanical equipment. The orientation of the market is mixed (subsistence/commercial) and the off farm income of producers is greater than 50% of their total income.
The main characteristics of the technology is the presence of an adequate amount of rock fragments especially on the soil surface. Rock fragments are found, in many cases, in the soil. Farmers used to remove them for clearing the soil but in case that the area is located in semi-arid or dry sub-humid climatic conditions, then the leaving of rock fragments in the field is of high importance for soil and water conservation. An amount of more than 20 percent of rock fragments on the soil surface is highly efficient in protecting soil and water.
The purpose of the technology is to conserve soil water from evaporation and to reduce soil loss under heavy rainfalls. The technology can be established in areas with soils formed on consolidated parent materials such as limestone, shale, conglomerates, etc. The benefit of the technology is the conservation of soil and water but the negative impact is the decrease of the effective soil depth which can be used by the growing plants. Land users usually do not like rock fragments in the field since they create problems during land cultivation activities. The technology is applied mainly in olive groves.

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:

Greece

Region/ State/ Province:

Crete

Further specification of location:

Area cultivated mainly with olive groves in Crete (Municipal District of Shinias, Municipality of Arkalohori) with soils formed on limestone, shale, and conglomerates parent materials.

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

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

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

The application of technology depends on the presence in the soil of rock fragments

Map

×

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:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The above-mentioned experimental research has been carried out during the execution of the EU research project MEDALUS

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

Cropland

• Tree and shrub cropping

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• olive

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

management measures

• M3: Layout according to natural and human environment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The proposed technology is related to the management of soils containing high amounts of rock fragments especially on the soil surface. Unattached pieces of rocks of 2 mm diameter or larger that are strongly cemented or more resistant to rupture are called rock fragments. They are present on the soil surface or distributed in various quantities into the soil body. Rock fragments are classified according to their diameter to the following categories: pebbles (diameter 2-75 mm), cobbles (diameter 75-250 mm), stones (diameter 250-600 mm), and boulders (diameter >600 mm). Based on the existing research, rock fragments in the soil surface are defined according to the percentage cover in three classes: >40%, 15-40%, and <15%. As the percentage increase, the effectiveness on soil water conservation increases and the rate of soil erosion decreases. Pebbles and cobbles are more effective on soil water conservation, while stones are more effective on soil erosion reduction.

Author:

Costas Kosmas

Date:

13/09/2016

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

The proposed technology does not require any cost. The idea is to keep rock fragments in the soil and not removing them which will cost some money

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

-8.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

No maintenance

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Hilly areas of various topography configuration.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water is transported from mountainous areas

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• leased

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

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

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

• 11-50%

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

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

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:

Danalatos, N.G., C.S. Kosmas, N.C. Moustakas and N. Yassoglou, 1995. Rock fragments II: Their impact on soil physical properties and biomass production under Mediterranean conditions. Soil Use and Management, 11:121-126

Available from where? Costs?

The MEDALUS projects

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kosmas, C.S., Moustakas, N., Danalatos, N.G., and Yassoglou, N. 1993. The effect of rock fragments on wheat biomass production under highly variable moisture conditions in Mediterranean environments. Catena 23:191-198.

Available from where? Costs?

The MEDALUS projects

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Evaporation from cultivated soils containing rock fragments

URL:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022169495029311