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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

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

University of Banja Luka (UNIBL) - Bosnia and Herzegovina

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:

Afforestation of bare land in Herzegovina region, a vulnerable area characterized by Karst landscapes, is an SLM technique aimed to increase water-holding capacity and reduce land degradation

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The afforestation of bare land is a very important SLM technique, which is mainly applied in the southern part of the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), but also in other parts of the country where bare land is widespread. The southern part of the country,Herzegovina, is ecologically very vulnerable and characterized by the dominance of limestone-dolomite rocks, with shallow and poorly developed soils, water deficiency over vegetation period and poor water regime, which is an additional aggravating factor for successful afforestation. Under such conditions, afforestation is the most widely used SLM measure in the area, which is characterized by karst landscapes. Namely, since 1950, there was a combination of vegetation and technical measures that would increase the chances of success when reforesting Herzegovina's bare land.
Bare land is a result of the natural features of the given region, but very often is exacerbated by unsustainable forest management, and frequent fires that have an impact on vegetation cover. This creates preconditions for soil erosion and contamination of drinking water springs. Afforestation of bare land is applied throughout the territory of Herzegovina, but mainly on forestland and public owned areas. The specificity of the natural conditions of the Herzegovinian karst, greatly reduces the range of plant species that could be considered suitable for afforestation. Also, limestone-dolomite soils are usually shallow, dry and xero-termophilic and require irrigation to increase success. However, irrigation is still not being applied on forestland, therefore forest managers use other possible measures that could reduce the water deficit in the first years of plant life, including afforestation
The Karst Management Center (under the jurisdiction of the Public Forest Enterprize “Šume Republike Srpske” and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management), is located in Trebinje, and manages the forests and forest land of six municipalities in Herzegovina . Every year, as part of the regular forest/karst management measures, bare land is afforested, using plant species produced in forest nurseries of the Republika Srpska. The most used ones are Pinus nigra, Pinus halepensis and Cupressus sempervirens. The newly established forest nursery in Trebinje, is consisted of ecologically adapted species to Mediterranean conditions, which constitutes a step forward to increase success of afforestation. Plants are produced in containers whose root system is coated with high quality substrate and protected by plastic foil.
The basic characteristic of the SLM measure “afforestation on bare land” is the deeper holes that need to be dug in comparison to a “regular” afforestation. The dimensions of the holes are 50x50x50cm. Due to the unfavourable conditions (high level of rockiness, shallow soils, steep slopes, water deficit etc.), it is possible to plant maximum up to 1400 plants per hectare. A low-height stonewall is being built around the hole of the tree at the lower part of the mountain, so it can retain the water from the upper parts, reduce degradation and retain soil moisture.This is particularly important for steeper slopes where it is essential to conserve soil and water for improved growth of trees and other vegetation. After putting the seedlings into the holes, soil is being put around the root system, and polyvinyl foil is being placed in funnel form, to collect rainwater and create a compact compound of the substrate in the touching zone with the soil around the root.
The best period for afforestation in Herzegovina is October and November. The technology requires manual work due to level of rockiness and steep slopes, which does not allow any use of machines. Planting seedlings is favorable during autumn due to soil compression after the rainfall of September when the contact between the holes and the substratum is fully established. This is especially important for plant resistance against drought, which lead to physiological weakness. Planting seedlings at the beginning of March is favorable only in cases when no drought occurs immediately after planting. This is possible only in the more continental part of the Karst area. When planting a tree, it is important to bear in mind that wind erosion can occur. Therefore, the substrate should be placed below the surface of the soil in the holes, especially if the planting is carried out immediately after the first rainfall followed by a warm summer period. This is a traditional technique of karst and bare land management, but new species better adapted to the landscape have been recently introduced.

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:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial social impact

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):

• Agroforestry

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)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

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:

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
• adapt to land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

BAM

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

1.65

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Preparation work (planning of possible places for afforestation)	September
2.	Digging of holes for plants	September-October
3.	Collecting the stones from the spot and building stone wall	September-October
4.	Afforestation-planting trees	October-November
5.	Fertilization of afforested plants	After afforestation
6.	Metal fences construction for protection from animals	After afforestation (in the first 3 years of life)
7.	Re-afforestation	After first afforestation (where it is not successful)
8.	Re-fertilization	For re-afforested plants (once)

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	Preparation work (planning of possible places for afforestation)	hectare	1.0	100.0	100.0
Labour	Digging of holes for plants, collecting the stones from the spot and creation stone wall	hectare	1.0	400.0	400.0
Labour	Afforestation+re-afforestation	hectare	1.0	1150.0	1150.0
Labour	Fertilization+weed protection+construction of metal fences	hectare	1.0	1250.0	1250.0
Equipment	Polyvinyl foil	per seedling	1.0	1.0	1.0
Plant material	Afforestation + re-afforestation (plant seedlings)	hectare	3.0	2150.0	6450.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertlization (fertilizers)	hectare	1.0	145.0	145.0
Construction material	Protection from animals (costs of metal fences)	hectare	1.0	529.0	529.0
Other	Transportation costs	kilometer	1.0	5.0	5.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					10030.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					6078.79

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Repair/maintenance of metal fences	Over the year

Comments:

All costs of maintenance are included in costs needed for establishment.

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

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Maintenance/repair of fences	hectare	1.0	350.0	350.0
Construction material	Cost of fences	hectare	1.0	350.0	350.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					700.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					424.24

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Character of terrain planned for afforestation, costs of labour and plant material. Prices are different every year.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Herzegovina area is characterized as a Karst region, with hilly topography, and flat areas with highly productive fields. Soil erosion is very frequent due to low vegetation cover in hilly areas, and frequent forest fires which destroy vegetation and soils. Drinking water resources are also endangered and sometimes polluted after heavy rains and fires. On the other hand, floods occur on the lower and more productive parts, as water regime of Herzegovina is very vulnerable.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users are rural people who collecting medical plants on karst region.

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

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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

• 1-10%

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

• 51-90%

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Strengths: - Soil protected from erosion
Advantages: - Better chance for success of afforestation
Opportunities: - Preserve water resources on Karst

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?
Weaknesses: Higher costs
Disadvantages: Lower chance for success without irrigation	Establish functional irrigation system
Risks: Public awareness for fire prevention	Increase public awareness about importance of fire prevention and soil protection.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Public Forest Enterprize "Šume Republike Srpske"

URL:

http://sumerepublikesrpske.org/