Conservation Education

Transcription

1 تعليمات نگهداری منابع طبيعی Conservation Education

2 Summary of soil and water conservation discussion/training material provided at the Forestry Partners Workshop February, 2009 Prepared for USAID/Afghanistan, Office of Agriculture & Rural Development Prepared by Otto Gonzalez, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service; Mark Kelly, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service; Jon Fripp, USDA NRCS; Clark D. Fleege, USDA Forest Service; and Linda Norgrove, UNOPS Under the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Capacity Building and Development Participating Agency Service Agreement with the United States Agency for International Development/Afghanistan

3 Watershed Zones Understanding the characteristics and behavior of a watershed is important to soil and water conservation. It is important to use the right management practices and the right rehabilitation techniques in the correct locations. Soil and water are important resources. The wrong management of these important resources can impact people s lives. The land that drains water to a point is called the watershed of that point. It is connected to the area above it. Collection Zone: The strategy is to keep the soil where it is and encourage infiltration. Manage use carefully to maintain vegetation. Use treatments which re vegetate and slow water. A watershed can viewed in three parts. 1. Collection zone: At the top of the watershed. It has the steepest slope and the thinnest layer of good soil. 2. Transport Zone: In the middle of the watershed. Wet streams and rivers flow throughout the year in this zone. 3. Deposition Zone: At the end of the watershed. Water and sediment stops here. It has the flattest slope and the thickest layer of good soil. Transport Zone: The strategy is to let the water and sediment flow through this zone. Strengthen and protect the banks. A watershed is like a chain. The parts are connected and dependent on one another. Deposition Zone: The land in this zone is zone is usually good for agricultural. The strategy is to keep too much sediment from depositing and to reduce wind erosion.

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6 Soil Conservation There are many practices that can be used to prevent the loss of valuable soil due to wind and water erosion Terraces and hillside ditches slow water runoff and promote infiltration. There are many techniques which can be readily learned in a class then refined with practice to be most suitable for the area. Windbreaks reduce soil loss as well as shield crops and livestock from wind. Planting trees and bushes helps slow soil erosion. Proper grazing management can reduce soil erosion and improve livestock health. Riparian buffers improve water quality and help stabilize streams. A seed drill can be used in some situations to establish grasses. Check Dams stop gullies from forming and getting larger.

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9 Vegetation Establishing and maintaining trees, shrubs, and grasses in the upper watershed is important for soil and water conservation. Use plant trees and shrubs that are adapted to the site. Consider soil type, climate, slope, and aspect. Vegetation slows runoff and reduces erosion. Tree seedlings can be started at nurseries. Compost can be used to provide good soil. Vegetation promotes water seepage into the ground. This improves plant growth and groundwater for wells. Water is important to establish vegetation. Mulch can reduce water loss. Terraces and hillside ditches can direct water to plants. Plant grasses in the dormant season. This is usually after the first freeze in the fall. Terraces and hillside ditches should be constructed on a contour. Good grazing management is important to maintain grasses. Do not overgraze Eat half leave half. Consider carrying capacity. Manage early/late grazing. Training for herders is important. Spacing, size, and the installation of ditch plugs are important in the design and construction of terraces and hillside ditches.

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12 Grazing Management Good management of grazing will improve soil and water conservation and produce healthier livestock. It is important to allow the range to rest between grazing. Allow a month between grazing so leaves can regrow and energy can be stored in the plants. Grasses and shrubs help prevent soil loss. If an area is overgrazed, erosion may occur. Grasses are important food for grazing livestock. If an area is overgrazed, the grass will be of poor quality and the livestock may suffer Grass will tolerate 50% grazing by weight every year and remain healthy. So graze half and leave half. Grasses and shrubs encourage rain to infiltrate into the ground. If an area is overgrazed, springs may dry up. Livestock should be allowed to water at defined areas. Overgrazing the riparian area can impact water quality and cause erosion. A simple technique for determining what is half is to: Find a sample that has not been grazed Cut it off at the ground. Tie the bundle together Attempt to balance it on your finger. Cut the bundle at the point of balance Measure the height of the cut base bundle This is 50% of the grass plant that must be left Grazing management is a skill that can be taught. It involves some learned techniques and a lot of practice The herders should be trained to move the herds as they eat and not allow the livestock to eat all the vegetation in an area.

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15 Wind Breaks Conservation practices that can reduce the harmful effects of high winds Multi-row windbreaks provide better protection Use low growing shrubs on the sides Use larger trees in the middle Wind can erode good soil and damage crops. Wind breaks can protect crops, livestock, and people as well as reduce erosion. Plant trees in a hole that is twice the size of the root ball. A soil amendment such as compost can be used to increase growth. Wash in the soil and tamp to remove air pockets. A windbreak will protect an area that can be more than 10 times the height of the highest tree at maturity. Plant the rows perpendicular to the normal wind direction How to find out the normal wind direction? Ask people who live in the area Look at the shapes of trees Since wind often blows down a valley, place the windbreaks across the valley Trees and shrubs need water. Irrigation may be necessary for establishment. Mulch can be used to reduce drying. Wind breaks can be trees, shrubs, and some grasses Fences and dead vegetation can also be used to build wind breaks.

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18 Irrigation The practice of getting needed water to growing plants Irrigation is needed if: Crops are wilting or dying from lack of water Crops are of a poor quality. You want to establish trees in a dry area There are many different types of irrigation. Impact sprinklers are good for seedlings and for some crops. When deciding on the type of irrigation system, it is important to understand the soils. Small electric or gasoline pumps can be used to provide the necessary pressure for sprinklers. Traditional flood irrigation is effective but wastes a lot of water. Drip Irrigation can be used for trees. Drip emitters are easy to install Micro sprinklers are good for greenhouses. Mirco sprinklers are easy to manage. Drip irrigation systems can be purchased commercially or constructed with a hose and a screw.

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20 Bucket Drip Irrigation A simple technique to provide water for household vegetable gardens The advantages of drip irrigation are: Saves water Low evaporation and runoff loss Water goes to the plant so fewer weeds will grow Works well on all soil types Can work well on a wide range of slopes Can be used to apply fertilizer and pesticides The drip line is installed along the ground next to the plants. Water is poured into the bucket. The materials needed for drip bucket irrigation are basic and easily assembled. Water flows from small holes in the drip line to water the plants. A stand is used to hold the bucket. It must be 1 meter above the ground. Several drip buckets can be installed on a garden. A connection and filter is installed on the bottom of the bucket. Simple connections are used to attach the water supply lines to the drip line. This simple and inexpensive irrigation tool can be supplied to many families to produce large amounts of vegetables in small gardens.

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23 Compost A natural soil amendment Why would we want to compost? To make garden plants and transplanted trees healthier To make good growing medium to start plants To handle excess organic waste Brick compost container How does compost do these good things? It adds nutrients to the soil It can loosen clay soil so air can get in It can help sandy soil hold water It turns organic waste into good soil Two bin wooden compost structure Agricultural waste can be used to make compost. Compost is a mix of green (nitrogen containing) material such as grass, manure, food scraps and brown (carbon containing) material such as straw saw dust, and dead dry plants. A container, moisture and time are also required. Human waste can be made into compost with a specially constructed compost toilet. Compost tea can be used on fragile seedlings or plants as a fertilizer. Some existing toilets can be managed to create compost.

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26 Water Supply A safe and reliable source of water is important for people, livestock, and plant irrigation There are many different practices and techniques for obtaining water. When selecting the appropriate technique, it is important to know the purpose: Human Use: A safe and consistent quantity is needed. Animal Use: A large volume is needed in many locations. Irrigation: An even larger quantity is needed. More water is needed in dry times. Filtration may be necessary for drip irrigation. Ponds can be constructed to capture rainfall Diversions are used to capture water from a stream or river Hand pumps are a good technique to get groundwater. But care must be taken in the design and operation of a well to avoid contamination of the groundwater Cisterns can be used to capture rainfall that runs off the roof of a house A rain harvester is a way to capture rainfall for livestock. It functions like a cistern. Windmills can be used to pump water from the ground Water can be pumped into simple storage tanks for later use. A spring box can be constructed to collect water from a spring and bring it to the surface

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29 Spring Development Water can be obtained by developing new or repairing old springs A spring box can be constructed to capture groundwater and carry it to the surface. Spring development design is not complicated A container (spring box) is needed to capture the water. It must have holes in it but can be metal, masonry, concrete, plastic, or clay. A pipe must be installed at the base of the box. Place the spring box into the hole. Wrap it in fabric and place small stones to fill the hole The first step in constructing a spring box is to determine a good location. It can be: Were a old spring had once flowed Were a spring only flows during wet weather At a low, wet area (look for plants that need a lot of water) A pipe is placed in a trench that extends from the bottom of the hole to an outlet. Water will flow into the spring box and out the pipe Dig into the ground to see if water can be encouraged to flow The water can go to a hidden pipe outlet. If water is present, the hole should be dug larger then lined with rock The water can also outlet at a spring house

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32 Water Treatment The practice of removing contaminants from water before it is used for drinking or for agriculture Distillation using large stills, stovetop stills or solar stills can be effective in removing many contaminants. Many sources of water contain dangerous pollutants and should be treated before drinking. Simple cloth filters can remove some sediment that may clog simple drip irrigation. Water used for agriculture may have contaminants that can damage some types of irrigation equipment. Fast sand filters are often used for removing particles that can damage irrigation equipment There are many different treatment technologies. The type selected depends on the type of pollutant that should be removed. Simple, in line, sand filters can be purchased or constructed. Adding chlorine, boiling, or using sunlight can kill many pathogens. This sort of treatment can be used for household drinking water. Slow sand filters can be used to remove dangerous pathogens as well as sediments.

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35 Slow Sand Water Treatment This is a simple technique for filtering dangerous pathogens out of drinking water. This practice is also called the biologic sand treatment. It has been used worldwide in many rural communities to provide clean drinking water. The hose goes from the bottom of the filter to outlet near the top of the container. The sand and gravel is placed in layers. First the larger gravel then the smaller sands. The water to be treated must be added slowly so that the sand is not disturbed. Holes in the lid of a plastic bucket or a small pot on top of the larger with holes in it will work. It is a sand filter that is designed to keep water pooled. The sand is kept permanently wet. A biologic layer of good microbes forms on the top of the sand. As water flows through the sand, the good microbes eat the bad microbes. Also, sediments catch between the sand particles and in the layer of good microbes. The filter does not function immediately. The good microbes need time to grow. In 2 to 3 weeks, they will colonize the upper few centimetres of the sand and begin to eat the pathogens. New water must be added daily. This feeds the good microbes, brings them air, and makes sure they do not dry out and die. The materials needed to construct a slow sand filter are a container to hold the sand, something to diffuse the water, clean sand and gravel, and a hose. Many variations in the design and containers used are possible. The sand and gravel should be sieved into different sizes than washed

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38 Streams and Rivers There are several management practices and treatment techniques that are applicable to this important part of the watershed. People use the land beside streams and rivers. Erosion in streams and rivers can damage agriculture, houses, roads, and the environment. Plants that are accustomed to a lot of water should be used close to the stream. Larger trees can be used further up the bank. Problems in streams or rivers might be caused by the upper watershed. When the watershed loses vegetation, more water can flow into streams and rivers during storms. This can cause flooding and erosion. Erosion of the stream bed may occur with high flows. As a channel gets deeper, the land on the land on the side can become drier. Controlling the access of livestock to a stream and hardening areas where the stream must be crossed will limit erosion and reduce water pollution. High flows may cause the channels to widen. Houses, roads and valuable agricultural land may be lost. Streambank soil bioengineering techniques use vegetation to stabilize the banks of streams and rivers. It is important to stabilize the channel bottom before trying to stabilize the bank. Grade control can be used to keep channels from getting deeper. These are large check dams. There are many techniques that can be easily learned that use vegetation to slow or stop stream bank erosion. Maintaining vegetation along the banks of streams and rivers can reduce bank erosion and protect water quality. This vegetation is called a riparian buffer. A riparian buffer should be at least twice the width of the channel. Where bank erosion is more severe, harder bank protection may be necessary. This could be large rocks or gabions.

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41 Gabions A good way to turn many small rocks into a large structure They are heavy wire baskets filled with rocks Used in many different of soil conservation practices Have been used worldwide A variety of different size baskets can be used Can be used for river bank protection and to build retaining walls. The baskets are laced together with wire. Can be used to construct check dams. Can also use simple tools (the clute) to assemble the baskets with rings. The baskets can be purchased from commercial manufacturers or can be constructed by hand. Proper design and construction is required for any structure built with a gabion. Hand woven gabion baskets. Good supervision is needed as the baskets are filled.

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44 Basic Surveying Many soil conservation practices require measurements of the ground. Many of these measurements can be made with a minimum of equipment. A string level can be used to measure the section of a gully or lay out a structure. Some basic tools include a string level, a compass, and sight level. Along with a measuring tape or rod, the ability to pace a distance, and the ability to estimate a 90 degree angle, many measurements for the design and construction of soil conservation practices can be accomplished. The use of a string level is easily learned. Design and construction requires the skills to take good measurements. Clapping a 90 is a simple technique to estimate a perpendicular line. A sight level can be used to measure slopes and determine a contour. A compass can be used to determine a position on a map. Proper technique is important when using a sight level. Assessments of the performance of structures can be made using these tools.

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