Planting forest on mountain slopes using moisture accumulating trenches (CACILM)
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2012-02-02 06:42 Updated: 2019-08-21 23:57
Compilers: Nikolay Zverev
Reviewers: David Streiff, Alexandra Gavilano
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Turkmenistan
- Region/ State/ Province: Turkmenistan, Akhal velayat
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Bakharlinskiy etrap, Konegumbez village
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Collecting rainwater in artificial trenches on hill and mountain slopes for the accumulation of water in the soil around the roots of trees planted in the trenches
Detailed description of the Technology
Intensive grazing and the felling of trees and shrubs in Turkmenistan led to the degradation of vegetation and soil. Reforestation through planting on slopes and using moisture accumulating trenches in non-irrigated bogara (rainfed) lands leads to a high survival rate of trees, even in years with low rainfall and without irrigation.
A moisture accumulating trench is triangular in cross-section; its depth is 0.4 m and the width on top is 0.7 m. It is made with the help of a single-bladed plough (the soil is dumped towards the slope) or by mounted trench diggers (the upper ridge of soil from the trench is moved to the lower slope). To remove excess water, a short dam is made at the end of the trench angled towards the slope. Marking of the trench’s location should be made perpendicular to the slope. This allows water to evenly fill the trench. If the slope is to 60-100% covered withherbaceous vegetation and does not exceed 16% steepness, the trenches are furrowed at a distance of 12 m. Seedlings are planted in the planting holes 5 m apart at the bottom of the trench. The height of the seedlings should be no less than 50 cm.Surface runoff collecting in the trenchesseeps into the soil and supplies roots with water. Native species have been planted, including Turkmen juniper, Turkmen maple and common almond. The technology also allows for the cultivation of alien species such as Eldar pine, American arborvitae and Red cedar
Purpose of the Technology: The aim of this technology is to create favourable environmental and social conditions in the Konegumbez village area through the restoration of degraded forests by planting seedlings in moisture accumulating trenches that increase the survival rate of plants in non-irrigated boraga lands
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The Konegumbez village is located in the “Nokhur” pilot area of the “Combating land degradation in the three regions of Turkmenistan” project (2002-2007, GIZ-CCD/NIPRZHM). A group of volunteer foresters consisting of local activists was established with financial support and the assistance of both consultants and the project team to restore the forests around the village. The entire population of the village has been involved in the afforestation of 4 ha of land.
Natural / human environment: Konegumbez village is located 150 km west of Ashgabat in the Central Kopetdag at an altitude of 1000 m. The water table is located at a depth of 150-180 m. The ground water is fresh . The soil type is light and dark grey. The vegetation is comprised of grass-forb with sporadic juniper plants. The annual amount of precipitation is 325-355 mm and the average annual temperature is 10.9ºC. The frost-free season last for 190-222 days. The population of Konegumbez village is 400 people People in the village are engaged in livestock breeding. They also grow vegetables and fruits. The total area of pastures amounts to 3,000 hectares. The limited water supply and restricted pasture areas are important constraints for the living conditions of the local population
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Konegumbez village, Turkmenistan, Akhal velayat, Bakharlinskyi etrap
- 📷 Nikolay Zverev, (65 Parahat-1 District, ap.26, 774019), e-mail:nikolay.zverev@gmail.com
- 📍 Konegumbez village, Turkmenistan, Akhal velayat, Bakharlinskyi etrap
- 📷 Nikolay Zverev, (65 Parahat-1 District, ap.26, 774019), e-mail:nikolay.zverev@gmail.com