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)

Strengthening of Livelihoods through Climate Change Adaptation in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

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

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit - Tajikistan (GIZ Tajikistan) - Tajikistan

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

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Flashfloods in riverbeds cause intensive riverbank erosion, which threatens villages, infrastructure and productive lands. Preventive measures combining "grey" (physical structures) and "green" (living trees) elements are more effective, sustainable and cost efficient than constructive measures only.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Villages at the northern slopes of the Turkestan range in Sughd region are often located at riverbanks. The amounts of water flowing in the river channels naturally varies much during the year. After intensive rainfall or snowmelt the water flow can suddenly increase manifold. These flashfloods carry huge amounts of debris and are therefore even more destructive. The combined effects of degradation of woodlands and rangelands in the upper catchments and the impact of climate change with accelerated snowmelt and higher frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events have increased the risks of these debris flows. In several villages of Sughd region, especially in Spitamen and Devashtich districts, riverbank erosion during flashflood and debris flows increasingly threatened houses, infrastructure and productive lands.

GIZ in collaboration with the local branches of the Committee for Emergency Situations, district and sub-district authorities assisted local community in the implementation of riverbank protection measures. The design of the protective structure was specifically adapted to the local situation. For achieving immediately reliable protection structural measures (“grey”) included:
•Modification of river channels with excavators and bulldozers to redirect flows;
•Erection of dykes and spurs from large rocks along erosion prone riverbanks;
•Erection of lateral gabion walls along erosion prone riverbanks;
•Erection of gabion spurs, which concentrate the water flow in the center of the river channel and thus reduce the force of water and debris on riverbanks and lateral gabion walls.

In the long run “grey” measures tend to be damaged by flashfloods and debris flows. “Green” measures can enforce the protective structures and thus increase the sustainability, effectiveness and cost efficiency of structural measures. Willows are particularly suitable for erosion prevention in river channels as they grow fast, establish a large fixing root system in the riverbed, their wood is flexible and withstands intensive force and they well regenerate after damage. “Green” measures for reinforcing riverbank protection included:
•Planting of single willow saplings in rows immediately behind stone dykes;
•Planting of willows in form of one or several rows of three seedlings per spot, connected with cords to “tripods” to increase stability;
•Planting of willows in form of one or several rows of three seedlings per spot, connected with cords to “tripods” around a small gabion, which additionally increases the resistance of the planted willows against the forces of water and debris.

The works have been overseen by the GIZ engineer, GIZ also covered expenses for gabion nets and machinery, while willow branches and labor were provided by the communities.

After up to five years the riverbank protection is still functional at all sites and prevented damage from floods to lives and property. No substantial damage occurred to the erected structures despite several heavy flashflood and debris flow events at all sites. Most planted willows established well, have substantially grown and provide an increasingly effective protection. In few spots willows dried up, where washed out or damaged by livestock and replanting would be necessary to maintain the effectiveness of the riverbank protection. In the future the willows can be used as coppice wood with their large branches cut, providing new planting material for additional “green” protection measures, for construction and as fuel. Additionally the willows contribute to the local biodiversity by providing habitat for birds and other animals, improve the microclimate and improve the view of the villages and the landscape. The multiple benefits from the “green” measures are expected to motivate care by the villagers, in particular prevention of damage caused by livestock and insufficient water supply and replanting of lost trees.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

2013

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:

• through projects/ external interventions

• on request of local Committee for Emergency Situations

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce risk of disasters
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial social impact

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

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

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

River channel with seasonal/episodical flow. Willows partly supported with improvised irrigation.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

TJS

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

6.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Modification of river channel	Fall
2.	Erection of stone dykes and spurs	Fall
3.	Building of gabions	Fall
4.	Planting of willow trees, "tripods"	Fall

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	Construction of tripod from a willow tree and gabion net	pieces	46.0
Labour	Constrcution of gabion spurs	m³	381.0
Labour	Laying down gabion net	m²	812.4
Equipment	Excavator	m³	1800.0
Equipment	Buldozer	m³	7040.0
Plant material	willow tree tripods	pieces	46.0
Construction material	Gabion net	m²	812.4
Construction material	Stones for gabions	m³	381.0

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

124690.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

GIZ: Transportation, procurement of materials (as specified) and lead worker fee: 87,940 TJS (13,224 EUR, 70 %); Community: Labour (manual works): 36,722 TJS (5,522 EUR; 30%)

Comments:

This is an example from one area in Devashtich district. The costs are varying and depend on the specific local circumstances. The addition of "green" measures increases the required labour, but does not substantially increase the overall costs.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Prevention of damage to trees from livestock	Year round
2.	Improvised irrigation	During seasons of low water availability at the planting sites
3.	Closing of washed out places	After damage detected
4.	Replanting	Fall

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

Comments:

Maintenance costs are low and can be covered by community contribution of labour.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

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.

Mainly gravel and sand in riverbeds.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Planted trees increase the habitat for 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:

• state

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Other socio-economic impacts

Ecological impacts

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

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)

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood	well

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

• single cases/ experimental

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

• 0-10%

Comments:

Disaster risk reduction measures require for their implementation external financial assistance.

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• climatic change/ extremes

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Instead of planting single trees "tripods" are planted. The "tripods" are stabilized by small gabions.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Long term sustainability.
Low costs.
Low maintenance needs.
Additional benefits (greening, wood).

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Same as land-users' view.
Increases lifetime of structural measures. As gabions lose stability due to aging of the gabion nets, the tree "tripods" gain stabilizing features.

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?
None

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Trees can be damaged by livestock	Community members need to be motivated to prevent damage and to replace dry trees.
During the first years trees can dry up if not enough water is available	Community members need to be improvise irrigation when necessary and possible and should replace dry trees.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information