Workshop on the lessons and success stories from a pilot project on climate change adaptation

interventions in Kabe watershed, south Wollo, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 11-12 February 2013

Asmare Wubet (Sirinka Agricultural Research Center, ARARI)

Soil and water conservation and forestry interventions at the Kabe Watershed Pilot

Project in Ethiopia, 2011-2013

Due to climate change recurrent droughts, erosion and flooding and drying of streams, springs and lakes appear to be increasing in Ethiopia.

To alleviate the problem, the government have given greater emphasis for watershed based soil and water conservation (Biological and physical).

Millions of tree seedlings have been planted by different afforestation programs in order to improve the environmental conditions of different areas. However, survival of the seedlings is not as expected in many of the areas.

Water stress is one of the major limiting factors, which reduces the survival rate and productivity of tree seedlings.

So, there is a need to test different mechanisms to increase seedling survival such as in-situ moisture conservation and adaptive species.

1. Introduction

2. Methods

Using community mass mobilization and safety net program a

huge soil and water conservation structures were constructed in

the watershed.

Different grass species and multipurpose tree species were

planted on constructed physical structures and on the top of the

watershed (afforestation area).

As a demonstration, 250 seedlings of five tree species were

planted on different in-situ moisture conservation structures.

Physical conservation structures

Description Unit Plan Achievement

Participants

Contribution in Birr Male Female Total

Stone terrace ha 78.25 83.4 12178 9247 21425 214,250.00 Cut off drain ha 0.53 0.65 120 65 185

1,850.00 Stone faced soil bund ha 89.6 93.2 16150 7868 24018 240,180.00

Hill side terrace ha 42.5 42.5 7314 3558 10872 108,720.00 Trench ha 0.93 0.89 86 98 184

1,840.00 Water percolation trench ha 4.5 4.46 2256 1964 4220

42,200.00 Stone check dam ha 9 9 2149 715 2864

28,640.00 Planting pits ha 16 12.93 967 650 1617

16,170.00 Total 241.31 247.03 41220 24165 65385 653,850.00

3. ResultsPhysical conservation structures

Description Unit Plan Achievement

Participants

Contribution in Birr Male Female Total

Stone terrace ha 78.25 83.4 12178 9247 21425 214,250.00 Cut off drain ha 0.53 0.65 120 65 185

1,850.00 Stone faced soil bund ha 89.6 93.2 16150 7868 24018 240,180.00

Hill side terrace ha 42.5 42.5 7314 3558 10872 108,720.00 Trench ha 0.93 0.89 86 98 184

1,840.00 Water percolation trench ha 4.5 4.46 2256 1964 4220

42,200.00 Stone check dam ha 9 9 2149 715 2864

28,640.00 Planting pits ha 16 12.93 967 650 1617

16,170.00 Total 241.31 247.03 41220 24165 65385 653,850.00

3. ResultsPhysical conservation structures

Description Unit Plan Achievement

Participants

Contribution in Birr Male Female Total

Stone terrace ha 78.25 83.4 12178 9247 21425 214,250.00 Cut off drain ha 0.53 0.65 120 65 185

1,850.00 Stone faced soil bund ha 89.6 93.2 16150 7868 24018 240,180.00

Hill side terrace ha 42.5 42.5 7314 3558 10872 108,720.00 Trench ha 0.93 0.89 86 98 184

1,840.00 Water percolation trench ha 4.5 4.46 2256 1964 4220

42,200.00 Stone check dam ha 9 9 2149 715 2864

28,640.00 Planting pits ha 16 12.93 967 650 1617

16,170.00 Total 241.31 247.03 41220 24165 65385 653,850.00

Effect of in-situ moisture conservation measures on seedling survival rate

Biological measures and afforestation at the top of the watershed

Description Planted in Survived in%

Type of tree seedlings Number ha Number haSesbania sesban 10001 84.01 2483 0.25 24.83Chamaecytisus palmensis 106386 103.42 986 0.10 0.93Acacia decurrens 38025 3.80 3145 0.31 8.27Acacia saligna 30508 3.05 16779 1.67 55.00Juniperus procera 3665 0.36 896 0.08 24.45Erica arborea 600 0.06 594 0.06 99.00Arundinaria alpine 1058 0.11 841 0.08 79.49Guassa (grass) splits 7000 0.70 6965 0.70 99.50Densho grass splits 354500 17.50 230425 23.04 55.00Phalaris grass splits 14290 1.42 6488 0.65 45.40Fistuka grass splits 5000 0.50 2645 0.26 52.90Acacia abyssinica 2800 0.28 663 0.67 23.68

Total 573833 215.2058 272910 27.8636 47.56

Greater emphasis should be given to stabilize physical soil and

water conservation structures using biological measures.

Plantation of seedling integrated with in-situ water harvesting

structures should be strictly followed in the next plantation

season.

Gully treatment and stabilization should be the first task that we

have to do in the coming season.

4. Recommendation