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

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Dry stone walls are durable landscaping structures created by arranging stones to construct small walls (without cement or plaster) either following contour lines or approximately
perpendicular to the slope.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Dry stone walls are built by stacking stones without the use of mortar or concrete. Stones are carefully positioned in a specific pattern to create a stable, durable wall. They either follow contour lines or are laid out approximately perpendicular to the slope. Some common features and elements of dry stone walls include the following:
- the stones used to build the wall are of varying sizes and shapes, with larger stones placed at the bottom and smaller stones on top;
- the wall is built on a foundation of large stones or rocks buried in the ground;
- stones are carefully selected and placed to fit tightly together, ensuring stability and preventing soil erosion;
- the wall can be straight or curved, depending on the terrain and the wall's purpose.

These walls are commonly found in rural areas with annual rainfall exceeding 400 mm, on stony soils with medium to steep slopes and deep soils. Dry stone walls are an effective way of reducing soil erosion and improving water management in hilly and mountainous areas, creating terraces with beds that facilitate farming.
The installation and maintenance of dry stone walls require skilled labour and specialized knowledge.
The steps involved in erecting a drystone wall are as follows:
- site preparation: the area must be cleared of all vegetation and debris;
- foundation preparation: the foundation should be 30 cm to 1 m wide and slightly sloped inwards to ensure stability;
- wall construction: with larger stones at the bottom and smaller stones at the top, the stones are tightly stacked together;
- drainage: to prevent water from accumulating behind the wall and causing damage, drainage channels must be created in the wall.
This technology removes stones from plots, holds soil in place, prevents erosion, preserves soil fertility, enhances biodiversity, creates jobs and supports local economies.
Farmers generally appreciate these advantages of dry stone walls. However, some may find them difficult to build and maintain, and may prefer other types of water and soil conservation structures. In addition, the use of dry-stone walls is limited by the availability of suitable stones and skilled labour in certain regions.

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:

1992

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

This is a living tradition.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

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

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

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

• integrated soil fertility management
• 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:

• reduce 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

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Tunisian dinars

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

3.1

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Identify and trace contour lines
2.	Dig a 50 cm deep, 70 cm wide furrow along previously marked out contour lines.
3.	Lay the stones in a way to ensure the structure stands strong, until the desired wall height is reached.

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	Linear meter	200.0	10.0	2000.0
Equipment	Site tools, off-site stone transportation	Linear meter	200.0	1.0	200.0
Construction material	Stones	Linear meter	200.0	1.0	200.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2400.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					774.19

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

Directorate-General of Agricultural Land Management and Conservation

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Repairs to the wall
2.	Working the soil

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	Labour	person days	1.0	240.0	240.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					240.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					77.42

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

Directorate-General for Agricultural Land Planning and Conservation

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The two factors affecting costs are the availability of labour and stones in the field.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

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.

Topsoil texture: Medium
Topsoil pH (H2O): 8.7
Topsoil sodicity (ESP) (%): 13
Subsoil pH (H2O): 8.5
Subsoil sodicity (ESP) (%): 9
Subsoil salinity (ECe) (dS/m): 0.4

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

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

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Heritage

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

On-site impacts are estimates made by farmers and experts.

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

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	very 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
Prevent soil erosion by reducing water runoff
Creation of flat or gently sloping areas suitable for cultivation
Durability

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Dry stone walls help mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall by reducing water runoff and soil erosion while contributing to drought resistance.
Dry stone walls contribute to the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems, promoting ecological balance and biodiversity.

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?
This is an expensive technology.	Access to financial support or subsidies

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Limited availability of skilled labor	Invest in training programs or workshops to build local capacity and expertise

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

Available from where? Costs?

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

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

URL:

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

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:

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/