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)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

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

Direction Générale de l’Amenagement et de Conservation des Terres Agricoles (DG/ACTA) - Tunisia

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

GIZ Tunisia (GIZ Tunisia) - Tunisia

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:

Stone lines (or "stone barriers") are small structures aligned along contours. These reduce the velocity of runoff flowing down sloping land while capturing materials carried by the water. The stone lines gradually accumulate sediment which leads to the gradual creation of terraces.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Stone lines (or "stone barriers") comprise a traditional soil and water conservation technique that has been used for centuries in Tunisia. These structures serve the dual purpose of slowing down rainwater runoff on sloping terrain and retaining suspended materials carried by the water.
On moderately rocky slopes, stone lines are established along the contour. Behind these barriers, sediment gradually accumulates through the effects of runoff, wind, and tillage, creating an environment conducive to the growth of trees - such as olives, almonds, or forest varieties - and fodder shrubs.
When established, the lines should have an upstream inclination of approximately 10%. The maximum height of the lines should be between 60 and 100 cm, with the downstream face sloping forwards. The spacing between two lines is determined by the slope of the terrain, calculated carefully to prevent the impact of heavy rainfall and associated runoff. It is not advisable to install stone lines on marly, clayey, or sandy soils lacking cohesion.
Commonly, before the lines are built, subsoiling work is carried out along the contour. Maintenance is crucial for the longevity of these structures, necessitating increasing the height of the structures as they accumulated sediment. One line should not exceed 500 meters.
They provide a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, fostering biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem services. Installing and maintaining these dry stone structures involves employing local knowledge, skills, and materials, encouraging community engagement and self-sufficiency – all of which are fundamental principles of agroecology.
Land users value this technology for its many benefits and contributions to sustainable land and water management.

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:

2017

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• through projects/ external interventions

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
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic 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)

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

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

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Stone collection and delivery
2.	Excavation of a 30 cm wide and 50 cm high trench
3.	Construction of cordons

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	Workers	m
Construction material	Dry stones	m
Other	Transportation	m
Other	Other loads	m

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

Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

Comments:

Stone lines are generally built using stones available on the surface.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Raising of the cordon

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	Workers	m

Comments:

Workforce for the collection and installation of the stones.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

- Availability of workers
- Availability of dry stones

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.

Organic carbon in topsoil (% by weight): 1
Topsoil pH (H2O): 8
Calcium carbonate in topsoil (% by weight): 43.4
Topsoil gypsum (% by weight): 0.2
Topsoil sodicity of(ESP) (%): 5
Topsoil salinity (ECe) (dS/m): 1
Subsoil organic carbon (wt%): 0.35
Subsoil pH (H2O): 8.3
Subsoil calcium carbonate (wt%): 62.7
Subsoil gypsum (% weight): 0.3
Subsoil sodicity (ESP) (%): 12

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

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

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

These are based on estimates from local farmers

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates made by farmers and observations made by researchers and experts.

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?
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	moderately
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	well
other gradual climate change	Rainfall intensity	increase	very well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well
landslide	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

• > 50%

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

• 11-50%

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
Protection against water erosion
Increased agricultural productivity

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Stone barriers are a sustainable solution for controlling soil erosion. Once built, they require minimal maintenance and have a lifespan of several decades. This long-term durability reduces the need for frequent intervention and investment.
Stone barriers help to mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing soil erosion and improving water availability. They help to make farming systems more resilient to extreme weather events, such as heavy rain and drought, which are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change.
Stone barriers are in line with the principles of sustainable land management. They help conserve soil and water resources, support sustainable farming practices, and contribute to the ecological balance of the entire region.

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?
Installing stone lines is a costly operation for small-scale farmers.	Facilitate the procedures for accessing the Special Agricultural Development Fund and overcome the ceiling on subsidies allocated to water and soil conservation actions.
Land fragmentation is a constraint when installing dry stones.	Coordinated efforts among neighboring farmers have led to the establishment of a network of dry-stone cordons.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The stone lines may not be as effective during extreme weather events such as very heavy rains or violent storms, which can damage or erode the cordons.	Consolidate dry-stone cordons with pasture and forage plantations to improve their stability and efficiency in extreme conditions, and compensate farmers for lost income.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide de conservation des eaux et du Sol, Ministère de l’agriculture, Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservations des Terres Agricoles, 1995: Ministère de l’agriculture, Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservations des Terres Agricoles

Available from where? Costs?

Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands, 1995: Ministry of Agriculture

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Carte agricole de la Tunisie, Ministère de l’agriculture, 2005

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Guide des bonnes pratiques d'utilisation durable de l'eau et des terres, WWF, 2019

URL:

https://www.wwf.ma/nos_nouvelles/nospublications/?33164/Guide-des-bonnes-pratiques-dutilisation-durable-de-leau-et-des-terres

Title/ description:

Guide technique pour la lutte contre la désertification, Abdessalem Kallala, OSS, 2017

URL:

http://projet.oss-online.org/LCD/images/BP/Techniques_LCD.pdf

Title/ description:

Harmonized World Soil Database, FAO, 2009

URL:

https://www.fao.org/soils-portal/data-hub/soil-maps-and-databases/harmonized-world-soil-database-v12/en/