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)

Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (UTF/SAU/051/SAU) (SRAD Saudi Arabia)

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

FAO Saudi Arabia (FAO KSA)

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:

This method allows sustainable plantations with a satisfactory level of success in hyper-arid zones (under 100 mm rainfall per year).

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Tree plantation pits are water harvesting structures which capture rainfall runoff for trees and shrubs. They receive supplementary water until seedlings are well established. Species planted are indigenous, and provide both shade and honey.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Plantation pits are water harvesting structures that capture rainfall runoff for planting trees and shrubs. They are given supplementary water until vegetation is established. The pits are dug within national parks managed by the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), which is the leader in this technology.
Pits may be located within wadis and sheyhib (small wadis), ranging in plots from ten to several hundred metres in length, and on high plateaux. The pits are often dug close to terraces and cross-wadi walls where runoff water is captured in the soil. Each plantation pit is rectangular, measuring (approx) 2m long, 1m wide, and up to 1m deep (depending on the depth of the soil). Spacing is from 3 to 10 metres between pits. The pits are excavated with mechanical diggers.
Pits are dug a year before planting, and they collect both runoff and the rich organic and mineral matter carried in the runoff. After one year, many annual and even perennial plants colonise the bottom of the pits. The trees and shrubs that are planted the most are Vachellia (Acacia) spp., Ziziphus spp. and Haxloylon spp. One (or two) seedlings are planted in the middle of each pit, without disturbing the existing vegetation as far as possible. These species attract bees, and beekeeping has been promoted alongside tree planting. Ziziphus honey is particularly high in value and Vachellia (acacia) honey is also good.
This water and nutrient harvesting technique is effective even in hyper-arid conditions, where rainfall may be less than 100 mm yearly. However, some supplemental irrigation is needed, and each pit is watered - every 4 months over 3 years - with a volume of water ranging from 20 to 100 litres each time per pit, depending on availability. Water is found in wadi beds and brought to the site in a bowser mounted on a lorry. Watering helps the plants to survive, and as it penetrates, it draws the roots down until they reach the water table. This is when watering can be stopped.
Although the costs are high, the results are generally very satisfactory regarding the survival rate. The local impact is significant when there are large blocks of pits and/ or greater numbers of pits per hectare (where this is possible). Over the last five years, a million pits have been dug.
Abdulla Al Eissa, the park manager, formulated the technical design of the pits, and FAO through the project "Strengthening MoEWA's Capacity to implement its Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development (SRAD) Programme (2019-2025) UTF/SAU/051/SAU" has been responsible for technical advice on locating pits, spacing and layout timing of operations, fertilization and planting operations. The activities are part-funded by the NCVC, while local donors and volunteers contribute the remainder.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

2019

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Pits are established under a project which sets out to develop vegetation to protect the environment in the National Parks and to support tourism in the region, partly financed by the NCVC (paying for workmen's salaries, etc. ) and local donors (trucks, machines) and volunteers planting.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

The Royal Botanical Garden Kew's Plants of the World website now uses the name Vachellia for the genus formerly known as Acacia.

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)

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Supplementary water sourced from wadi beds (3 deep wells with electrical pumps).

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• water harvesting
• beekeeping, aquaculture, poultry, rabbit farming, silkworm farming, etc.

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

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

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Identify the site	Dry season: Year 1
2.	Layout and mark the pits with stakes	Dry season: Year 1
3.	Dig the pits	Dry season: Year 1
4.	Produce the seedlings in a nursery	Dry season: Year 1
5.	Plant the seedlings	Rainy season: Year 2
6.	Water the seedlings (and replace dead ones)	Dry season: Years 2-4
7.	Check the pits during the first rain.	Rainy season: Years 2-4
8.	Check the pits after flooding	After flooding: Years 2-4

Comments:

Based on a 4 year period - with trees seedlings planted 1 year after the pits are dug.

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 for planting	Worker/day	5.0	50.0	250.0	90.0
Labour	Workers for watering	Worker/day	18.0	33.0	594.0	90.0
Equipment	Excavator for digging pits (2 x 2 x 1 m) 100 pits /ha	Hour	25.0	93.0	2325.0	90.0
Equipment	Truck with bowser/ tank for watering (100 litres /pit / 9 times over 3 years)	Truck/ 5000 litres	18.0	47.0	846.0	90.0
Plant material	Tree Seedlings 200 /ha	Seedling	200.0	4.0	800.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					4815.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					4815.0

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

The costs are paid through the National Park: 90% from private donations/ volunteer work and 10% by the National Center for Vegetation Cover NCVC. Seedlings supplied by NCVC.

Comments:

The costs are spread over 4 years, by hectare, for 100 pits, including digging, planting - and watering for 3 years.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Checking the pits after the first rain	Once, after the first rain.
2.	Checking the pits after floodings	After flooding.
3.	Replacing seedlings when needed (with extra watering if necessary).	During the wet season

Comments:

Depending on the climate

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 for maintenance including repairs, weeding and planting replacement seedlings	Worker/day	10.0	50.0	500.0	100.0
Plant material	Tree seedlings	seedling	30.0	4.0	120.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					620.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					620.0

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

Local donors 100 % of workers costs and NCVC 100 % of the seedlings.

Comments:

Depending on the type of soil, drought and flooding. Figures are an average per year for first few years. Extra watering may be necessary at an extra cost for the truck/ bowser (not costed here).

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Type of soil, drought and flooding.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

This technology is specific to the Thuwayq wadis and plateaus

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.

Rocky limestone soils, sometimes sandy.

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:

One to three floodings a year.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Arid ecosystems, low but relatively rich for the region.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The land manager is the Government, National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, which facilitates tourism/ picnicking in the park and protection of the environment (for all genders and ages of tourists). Land users can be considered to be local people who volunteer their labour and use the area for recreation.

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

• under park management

• under park management

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

Comments:

National Park, government property

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

Tourism is with guides and tour operators - facilities are being improved

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Expert estimates/expectations

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Expert estimates/ expectations

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?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood	well

Comments:

The impact will depend on the density of pits per hectare. Experimentation with different spacing as low as 3 metres apart could/ should be tested and evaluated for costs and results.

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)?

Comments:

It depends on the case, but the success in terms of vegetation establishment and thus related benefits is generally very high.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

The technology is no longer experimental. It is routine in Thadiq National Park up which is creating up to 300,000 new pits per year.

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

• 0-10%

Comments:

Joint ventures between NCVC, local donors and volunteers.

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
Radical change to the ecosystem and landscape to improve it environmentally.
Attractive to tourists after 5 years.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Adapting to climate change (rising temperatures, increased flash flooding).
Necessary if we want to turn desert into forests and steppes.
One of the best ways to revegetate the desert.

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?
High costs.	Use climate change budgets or convince donors and the Government and Vegetation Centre to finance it.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
High costs.	Use climate change budgets or convince donors and the Government and Vegetation Centre to finance it.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

FAO 2024. State of land degradation, desertification and sand encroachment in Saudi Arabia.

Available from where? Costs?

FAO Project internal report, Saudi Arabia, 051. Fao-sa@fao.org

Title, author, year, ISBN:

FAO 2022. Forest Sector Review of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Available from where? Costs?

FAO Project internal report, Saudi Arabia, 051. Fao-sa@fao.org

Title, author, year, ISBN:

FAO, 2022. National Park Sector Review of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Available from where? Costs?

FAO Project internal report, Saudi Arabia, 051. Fao-sa@fao.org

Title, author, year, ISBN:

FAO, 2022. Rangeland Sector Review of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Available from where? Costs?

FAO Project internal report, Saudi Arabia, 051. Fao-sa@fao.org

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

National Center for Vegetation Cover NCVC

URL:

https://ncvc.gov.sa/

7.4 General comments

Add the FAO Project UTF/SAU/051/SAU, Strengthening the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme