Difference between revisions of "Mitigation and Intervention Techniques Related to Micro-hydro Power (MHP) Projects"
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'''Box 1''' shows three examples of how (rather simple) interventions can improve the environmental condition of the catchment. A more detailed list of mitigation and intervention techniques and the respective application can be found in DESTA, L. ET AL. (2005): Part 1: ''Community Based Participatory Watershed Development. '' Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, pages 69 – 165 and DESTA, L. ET AL. (2005): Part 2: ''Community Based Participatory Watershed Development: Annex''. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, pages 43 - 48. | '''Box 1''' shows three examples of how (rather simple) interventions can improve the environmental condition of the catchment. A more detailed list of mitigation and intervention techniques and the respective application can be found in DESTA, L. ET AL. (2005): Part 1: ''Community Based Participatory Watershed Development. '' Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, pages 69 – 165 and DESTA, L. ET AL. (2005): Part 2: ''Community Based Participatory Watershed Development: Annex''. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, pages 43 - 48. | ||
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==== <br>Fenced vs. unfenced springs/wetlands ==== | ==== <br>Fenced vs. unfenced springs/wetlands ==== | ||
− | Springs and wetlands not only guarantee the discharge in dry season, also they have a great retention capacity during and after rains. Springs are sensitive areas that react to disturbances easily. Protection of springs and wetlands is thus crucial for the sustainable use of the MHP projects. Protection measurements might include fencing (to protect the areas from cattle step and thus soil compaction), protection of natural vegetation around the springs, protection of a natural humus layer (in order to sustain sufficient infiltration and thus groundwater recharge). Furthermore fencing can help to improve the water quality, since pollution due to agricultural and pastoral use can be prevented<ref>HELVETAS (2005): Helvetas Wasser Fact Sheet: Quellen und Quellschutz.</ref>. | + | Springs and wetlands not only guarantee the discharge in dry season, also they have a great retention capacity during and after rains. Springs are sensitive areas that react to disturbances easily. Protection of springs and wetlands is thus crucial for the sustainable use of the MHP projects. Protection measurements might include fencing (to protect the areas from [http://energypedia.info/index.php/Causes_and_Features_of_Watershed_Degradation_related_to_MHP_Projects_in_Ethiopia#Changes_in_soil_texture_and_cattle_step cattle step] and thus soil compaction), protection of [http://energypedia.info/index.php/Causes_and_Features_of_Watershed_Degradation_related_to_MHP_Projects_in_Ethiopia#.C2.A0Deforestation_and_Destruction_of_Natural_Vegetation natural vegetation] around the springs, protection of a natural humus layer (in order to sustain sufficient infiltration and thus groundwater recharge). Furthermore fencing can help to improve the water quality, since pollution due to agricultural and pastoral use can be prevented<ref>HELVETAS (2005): Helvetas Wasser Fact Sheet: Quellen und Quellschutz.</ref>. |
− | ==== <br>'''Buffered vs. unbuffered riverbanks/wetlands<br>''' ==== | + | ==== <br>'''Buffered vs. unbuffered riverbanks/wetlands<br>''' ==== |
A buffer typically consists of a band of vegetation along a wetland or water body, preferably natural habitat, but including previously altered, stable native or introduced species. A buffer can perform a variety of functions, which can improve the environmental condition of a watershed, such as sediment removal and erosion control, runoff reduction through infiltration, reduction of human impacts by limiting easy access as well as barrier to invasion of exotic species<ref>GALE, J.A. (unknown): Watershedss Wetland Management. http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/wetlands/manage.html#prot</ref>. Thus buffers can benefit the sustainable use of the MHP and should hence be established and/or protected. | A buffer typically consists of a band of vegetation along a wetland or water body, preferably natural habitat, but including previously altered, stable native or introduced species. A buffer can perform a variety of functions, which can improve the environmental condition of a watershed, such as sediment removal and erosion control, runoff reduction through infiltration, reduction of human impacts by limiting easy access as well as barrier to invasion of exotic species<ref>GALE, J.A. (unknown): Watershedss Wetland Management. http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/wetlands/manage.html#prot</ref>. Thus buffers can benefit the sustainable use of the MHP and should hence be established and/or protected. | ||
− | ==== <br>'''Eucalyptus vs. indigenous plants<br>''' ==== | + | ==== <br>'''Eucalyptus vs. indigenous plants<br>''' ==== |
− | Eucalyptus easily adapts to any soil and water condition, it is characterized by fast growth, high survival, long roots and hard leafs. Those features make it economically very beneficial. When it comes to watershed management, its negatives sides should be considered though: it does not only take a lot of nutrients and water and is hence a high competition to companion plants and decreases biodiversity, also soil erosion can occur which can negatively affect the MHP’s performance. FAO thus recommends that large scale monocultures of eucalypt plantations be excluded from watersheds, aforestation projects should avoid monocultures and the use of eucalypts. The only way to include eucalyptus is to adopt it in agroforestry systems, but the proportion of each species should be planned out carefully<ref>SUNGSUMARN, K. (1993): Why Eucalyptus is Not Adopted for Agroforestry. In: Kashio, M. et al. (Hrsg.)(1996): Reports Submitted to the Regional Expert Consultation on Eucalyptus - Volume II. Bangkok: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.</ref>. | + | Eucalyptus easily adapts to any soil and water condition, it is characterized by fast growth, high survival, long roots and hard leafs. Those features make it economically very beneficial. When it comes to watershed management, its negatives sides should be considered though: it does not only take a lot of nutrients and water and is hence a high competition to companion plants and decreases biodiversity, also soil erosion can occur which can negatively affect the [http://energypedia.info/index.php/Causes_and_Features_of_Watershed_Degradation_related_to_MHP_Projects_in_Ethiopia#Box_1: MHP’s performance]. FAO thus recommends that large scale monocultures of eucalypt plantations be excluded from watersheds, aforestation projects should avoid monocultures and the use of eucalypts. The only way to include eucalyptus is to adopt it in agroforestry systems, but the proportion of each species should be planned out carefully<ref>SUNGSUMARN, K. (1993): Why Eucalyptus is Not Adopted for Agroforestry. In: Kashio, M. et al. (Hrsg.)(1996): Reports Submitted to the Regional Expert Consultation on Eucalyptus - Volume II. Bangkok: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.</ref>. |
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== References == | == References == |
Revision as of 08:31, 24 March 2011
The identification of appropriate mitigation and intervention techniques on the basis of the Environment Assessment is crucial for the implementation of a successful Watershed Action Plan in order to achieve a sustainable use of the catchment area and thus the MHP project. Biophysical as well as political mitigation and intervention techniques are listed in the table below:
BIOPHYSICAL MEASURES | POLITICAL MEASURES |
Gully control | Education and training |
Terracing | Income generating measurements |
Agroforestry | Participatory approach |
Reforestation | |
Revegetation | |
Cultivation along contour lines | |
Protection of springs and wetlands | |
Water harvesting | |
Crop rotation |
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Terracing in the Gobecho catchment (Ethiopia) | Gully control near Ambo (Ethiopia) |
Box 1 shows three examples of how (rather simple) interventions can improve the environmental condition of the catchment. A more detailed list of mitigation and intervention techniques and the respective application can be found in DESTA, L. ET AL. (2005): Part 1: Community Based Participatory Watershed Development. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, pages 69 – 165 and DESTA, L. ET AL. (2005): Part 2: Community Based Participatory Watershed Development: Annex. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, pages 43 - 48.
Box 1:
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References
- ↑ HELVETAS (2005): Helvetas Wasser Fact Sheet: Quellen und Quellschutz.
- ↑ GALE, J.A. (unknown): Watershedss Wetland Management. http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/wetlands/manage.html#prot
- ↑ SUNGSUMARN, K. (1993): Why Eucalyptus is Not Adopted for Agroforestry. In: Kashio, M. et al. (Hrsg.)(1996): Reports Submitted to the Regional Expert Consultation on Eucalyptus - Volume II. Bangkok: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
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