Secano Interior, Chile

Contact the Secano Interior study site teams

2010-11-25T12:37:35Z

Institute Description

Institute full name:	Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias
Institute acronym:	INIA
Institute profile:	The Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), created in 1964, is a private, non-profit corporation under the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. INIA has various Regional Research Centers, Research Departments, Laboratories and Libraries spread out throughout the country, staffed with highly qualified professionals, all of which contribute to improve the development of the agricultural and livestock sector. Specialty Groups have been set up to complement the work carried out in the regions, which include researchers dealing with specific problems requiring a national outlook. INIA's mission is the creation, adaptation and transfer of technologies to ensure that the agricultural sector will contribute to the safety and quality of food produced in Chile, in addition to provide a competitive and sustainable response to the challenges of rural development.
Website	www.inia.cl
Address	Inia P.O. Box 426 Av. Vicente Méndez 515 Chillán Chile Fax: +56 42 209599
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Involved personnel

Name	Contact details	Key qualifications	Photo
Dr. Carlos Ovalle	Tel: +56 42 209658 E-mail: covalle@inia.cl	Coordinator of the Chilean team; pasture ecologist, with special interest in rehabilitation of fragile and degraded agro-ecosystems, nutrient and water dynamic, nitrogen fixation by legumes plants.
Ing. D.E.A. Carlos Ruiz	Tel: + 56 42 209603 E-mail cruiz@inia.cl	Agricultural production in dry land areas. Political economy and participative rural development. Productive and economic operation analysis of agricultural farms.
Fernando Fernández	Tel: +56 73 512502 E-mail: ffernandez@inia.cl	Agronomist specialist in extension on production system for dryland areas.
Ingrid Martínez, MS(c)	Tel: +56 42 209663 E-mail: imartinez@inia.cl	PhD Student - Universidad de Concepción Chile. Mitigation of water erosion and its effects on soil indicators in Mediterranean climate zone of central Chile.

Institute Description II

Institute full name:	Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca
Institute acronym:	FCA-UTALCA
Institute profile:	The FCA-UTALCA is one of top five Faculties of Agronomy in Chile. We conduct basic and applied research in plant physiology, crop production and quality, crop protection, sustainability of natural resources, among others. Also, the department of Agricultural Economics is involved in rural development, agribusiness, market analysis, economic valuation of natural resources, among others. Furthermore, the FCA-UTALCA has four Technological Centre: Apple & Pear Centre, Vineyard & Wine Centre, Agroclimatology & Irrigation Centre and Crop & Soil Centre.
Website	agronomia.utalca.cl
Address	Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias Universidad de Talca Av. Lircay s/n Casilla 747 Talca Chile Fax: +56 71 200212
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Involved personnel

Name	Contact details	Key qualifications	Photo
Prof. Dr. Alejandro del Pozo	Tel: +56 71 200223 E-mail: adelpozo@utalca.cl	Plant ecophysiologist with special interest on water stress, and evaluation of new crops for Mediterranean environments. Also involved in studies of rehabilitation ecology of degraded agro-ecosystem.
Dr. Alejandra Engler	Tel: +56 71 200224 E-mail: mengler@utalca.cl	Economist expert in econometric analysis, with special interest on the risk management, price analysis, food safety and quality.
Dr. Pablo Villalobos	Tel: +56 317 474268 E-mail: pvillal@utalca.cl	Agronomist specialist in economic evaluation of natural resources and environmental management, food quality and good agricultural practices.

Institute Description III

Institute full name:	Universidad de Concepción (Chile), Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Soil Science and Natural Resources.
Institute acronym:	UdeC
Institute profile:	The University of Concepción is one of the five main Universities in Chile and the biggest in Regions. The Faculty of Agronomy is located in Campus Chillán and is organized in three Departments: Soil Science and Natural Resources, Plant Production and Animal Production. The research at the Department of Soil Sc. and Natural Resources has been oriented to nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems (on degraded soils or in soils under rehabilitation and on agroecological systems); soil organic matter dynamics; soil quality; precision agriculture. At the moment, is strongly focused in greenhouse gas emission from agriculture and the study of strategies for its mitigation and soil C sequestration. At the University, the Department of Soil Sc. and Natural Resources is coordinating activities within the DESIRE project.
Website	www.udec.cl www.chillan.udec.cl
Address	Universidad de Concepción Facultad de Agronomía Departamento de Suelos y Recursos Naturales Avenida Vicente Méndez 595 P.O.Box 537 Chillán, Chile. Phone: +56 42 208853 Fax: +56 42 270674
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Involved personnel

Name	Contact details	Key qualifications	Photo
Dr. Erick Zagal	Tel:+56 42 208853 Fax: +56 42 270674 e-mail: ezagal@udec.cl	Soil scientist. Coordinating projects on nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and soil C sequestration in agriculture and agroforestry. Main interest in soil biology and soil ecology.
Dr. Neal Stolpe	Tel:+56 42 208744 Fax: +56 42 270674 e-mail: nstolpe@udec.cl	Soil scientist. Main research on modeling soil erosion and C sequestration in agroecological systems, soil classification.
Dr. Marco Sandoval	Tel:+56 42 208941 Fax: +56 42 270674 e-mail: masandov@udec.cl	Soil scientist. Main research on soil physics and interactions soil-plant-water. With special interest in soil structure and soil C stabilization.
Dr. (c) Juan Alberto Barrera	Tel:+56 42 208958 Fax: +56 42 270674 e-mail: jbarrera@udec.cl	Satellite imagery and Geographic Information Systems specialist. With special interest in precision agriculture and crop zonification.

Study site location & description

2008-01-15T16:11:26Z

The Secano Interior study site is located west of the city of Cauquenes, central Chile.

{mosgmap mapid=24|height=350px|zoomtype=small|showmaptype=true}

Erosion is the main cause of degradation of the soils in Chile. Due to the topographic conformation of the country, with two large mountain ranges along the country, and the rain intensity and distribution, which is highly concentrated in winter, water erosion is the most important form of soil degradation. With a territorial area of 75.49 M ha, 46% (34.491 M has) are affected by erosion of different degrees; 7% of soils presents a severe erosion, while 27% are highly eroded, 44% moderately degraded and 22% are in state of light erosion degree (IREN, 1979). In the Mediterranean climate area of Central Chile, in particular the unirrigated area ("secano interior") of central Chile (30° - 37°S), soil degradation and desertification are actually the main environmental problems. Most of this 2 million ha is occupied by a traditional agricultural system that combines livestock activities with the production of cereals. As a result of the prevailing land use systems, about two thirds of "secano interior" soils are badly eroded and soil organic matter and microbial biomass are very low in many places (Ovalle, et al., 1990). At macro regional level, the erosion has provoked environmental imbalances, like siltation of rivers and ports, and serious problems of floods as much as rural level as in the cities. The studies will contribute to the rehabilitation and development of one of the most economically depressed areas of the country, with high levels of rural poverty and degradation of the natural resources. In particular, it is expected that appropriate technologies for the sustainable management of these fragile soils will be transfer to farmers and associations, institutions and technical staff involve in soil conservation and local governments. A concrete contribution is expected in the area of the development of production systems through the incorporation of cover crops and agroforestry systems with multi purpose trees and pastures, and the development of new crop systems and crop rotations with incorporation no tillage of cultivation systems. Besides, studying how to improve agronomic practices would allow to increase soil fertility and the productive potential of this extensive area of the country.

More details ... read the full study site description and an overview of all sites
	Read the full study site description
»Comparative overview of all study sites

Stakeholders and their sustainability goals

2011-11-08T14:07:53Z

The area and people
On this site the majority of the farmers are small farmers.

Added value of DESIRE for stakeholders
The local actors hope that this project will influence the decision makers to finance the implementation of the solutions. The INIA felt a very strong expectation of the local actors.

Study site stakeholder workshops
One day with the local actors; small farmers, big owners, representatives of 4 institutes of research (INIA, IDAP, IRD), representatives of companies and a technician of the municipality. Then two days with the external actors. The INIA was very satisfied with the participation.

Limitations for spontaneous implementation of soil and water conservation practices
The solutions are too expensive for these poor populations and absence of a public policy.

Stakeholder groups

A fundamental and key user institution of the information generated by the project would be the Institute of Agricultural Development (INDAP, http://www.indap.gob.cl). INDAP has for mission to attend technically and to lend credit to the small farmers of Chile. In particular in the Mediterranean region INDAP develop programs for recovery degraded soils, fomenting tools for soil conservation like the construction of simple structures for erosion control at farm level, cover crops and sown pastures, and the plantation of trees with agro-forestry purposes.
The Centre of Education and Technology (CET, http://www.corporacioncet.cl) has the mission of help small farmers to increase their life quality improving their technology, agriculture productivity and sustainability of natural resources. The CET has an active role on the articulation of rural organizations with county authorities, research centers and state institutions, in order to have influence on the design of new polices related with rural life.
A number of NGOs are available in the secano interior working with small farmers, like Agraria, Grupo de Investigaciones Agrarias (GIA, http://www.gia.cl) among others.
The large majority of the land in the “secano interior” is private, therefore farmers and forest companies will the final users. An active divulgation program will be necessary for the diffusion of new technologies to small, medium and large farmers, as well as forest managements.

Sustainability goals

The areas of rainfed agriculture in Mediterranean Central Chile have at least 2 main attributes, which should be preserved and enhanced. First is the livelihood for a significant number of farmers (c. 300.000), who use and generate their incomes from agriculture activities, and contain a valuable cultural and social heritage that the country can not lose. Secondly, being semi-natural areas, where the anthropogenic impact on the environment have been not as overwhelming or devastating as in other areas of more intensive agriculture, these zones have great interest in terms of biodiversity and semi natural landscape.Taking into account both aspects the sustainability goals are to allow rural population to improve their living conditions and to conserve natural and cultural patrimonies.

Goal 1	Enhancement of the productive potential of the dryland agroecosystems
Goal 2	Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded soils
Goal 3	To decrease and control soil degradation (erosion and fertility depletion)
Goal 4	To enhance water storage capacity of the soils and watershed
Goal 5	Maintenance of balance between ecological and productive value of the agro-ecosystems
Goal 6	Design, implementation and introduction of technological innovations in the traditional farming systems allowing rural population to improve profitability, productivity and sustainability of agriculture, preserving the environment and cultural and natural patrimony of this vast area of Central Chile

Source: Stakeholder workshop (goals 1-4), Ministry of Agriculture policy document (goals 5 and 6)

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»Stakeholders & their sustainability goals - overview

Drivers, policies and laws

2011-11-08T14:14:36Z

The reasons for desertification and land degradation occurring can be environmental (for example due to the climate or soil conditions), economic, due to the actions of people or, most often, due to a combination of factors. The resulting degradation may be temporary or permanent.

To help understand this complex picture it can be helpful to think in terms the dominant socio-economic and environmental forces that are driving the process of land degradation. These place pressures on the land which have particular impacts. Human society may have already made responses to those impacts, or may have knowledge about how they could respond. Decisions about which responses to make may also be governed by a range of international, national or local policy regulations and agreements.

In the Secano Interior study site, the same stakeholder workshop and questionnaires that were used to identify existing and potential response strategies (»Identifying strategies: Stakeholder workshop 1) also discussed and identified these driving forces; pressures; impacts; and the policy and regulation environment. This information was then used to inform the choice of »Field experiments, the scenarios used in »Simulated biophysical impact of remediation strategies and their financial viability, and context for the study site-specific »Policy brief recommendations.

Select main driver

Socio-economic drivers
Environmental drivers
Pressures
Impacts
Responses
Policies

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»Drivers and policy context for all study sites

Gender-related issues

2011-03-03T13:34:55Z

More details ... download the poster
	Gender-related issues: Secano Interior [138 kB]

Land degradation and conservation maps

2009-06-08T13:02:12Z

The WOCAT tool for mapping land degradation and sustainable land management has been used in the Zeuss Koutine study site. Using the tool, an interdisciplinary team of specialists has recorded observations of land degradation, sustainable land management and recommendations for further prevention or mitigation on a land use base map.

Select map type

Comments

Map version: 11Jan12

More details ...

»Assessment and mapping methodology; summary results from all study sites

Evaluating the desertification risk assessment tool with local experimental results

2013-09-30T12:13:38Z

Author: Victor Jetten

Introduction
In the dry Secano interior in Chile, farmers face problems of soil fertility depletion which affects the sustainability of traditional crop production. Another problem associated with fertility depletion is erosion because of periods in the crop rotation cycle where the soil is bare. Experiments were carried out to introduce crop rotation with legumes to replace wheat mono culture and to solve the problem of soil fertility depletion, while at the same time providing a better soil cover and also improving the soil structure, which improves infiltration.

Also the problems of soil erosion and soil degradation are caused by the Mediterranean type of climate (heavy rainfall in winter) and inappropriate land management practices. Experiments were carried out on the experimental farm to decrease surface runoff and soil losses and to improve soil water availability for growing crops.

Desertification indices
The desertification risk calculated is water erosion. The calculated risk is moderate (2.52). Introducing a rotation system will presumably increase the soil cover which is an option in the tool. This lowers the risk to low (2.30) while the minimum tillage also results in an even lower risk (2.18) because the ploughing is stopped.

Conclusions
The desertification risk assessment tool correctly identifies the risk for water erosion in this area and the effect of the mitigation measures.

More details ... general conclusions and results from other study sites

»Evaluating the Desertification Risk Assessment Tool with experimental results

Identifying strategies: Stakeholder Workshop 1

2008-10-31T14:59:52Z

A report on the results of the first DESIRE stakeholder workshop on "Land degradation and desertification - existing and potential prevention and mitigation strategies" held in Quilamapu, Chillán, Chile. 17, 18 December, 2007.

Authors: Carlos Ovalle, Carlos Ruiz, Alejandra Engler.

Overview

The Mediterranean dryland area is located in the VII and VIII Region of Chile. It covers an area of 800.000 hectares. The average rainfall is 640 mm per year, heavily concentrated in the winter season. The population is around 100.000 and 19.000 families.

A history of overuse of natural resources (land and water), bad cropping practices and abusive extraction of native plantations have placed high pressure on soil and water conservation.

Selection of technologies and approaches

Final comments

Participants agree in concluding that one of the main factors affecting degradation is inappropriate practices.

Solutions proposed imply right incentives, education, and participative extension programs.

Generating the right technologies still requires more evaluation and research.

More details ... download the full report and poster and see results and general conclusions from other study sites
	WP3.1 Stakeholder Workshop 1: Chile (report) (903.44 kB)
	WP3.1 Stakeholder Workshop 1: Chile (results poster) (160.54 kB)
»Identifying strategies: Stakeholder Workshop 1 methodology and summary results from all study sites

Evaluating strategies: technologies and approaches documented

2011-02-22T14:09:07Z

Stakeholder Workshop 1 identified a number of existing or potential strategies to combat desertification and land degradation in the Secano Interior study site. In the months following the workshop these strategies (technologies or approaches) were documented and evaluated in a structured and standardised way and their descriptions were entered in the WOCAT Technologies and Approaches databases in order to share the information with other DESIRE sites as well as globally.

For details of all Technologies and Approaches documented in the WOCAT Database (from the DESIRE study sites and from other sites worldwide), see

For those relating to this study site, click on the Name of technology or Name of approach to go directly to the descriptions in the database.

WOCAT Technologies Database

Country	Code	Name of technology	Author
Chile	CHL01	»No tillage preceded by subsoiling	Carlos Ruíz, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA)
Chile	CHL02	»Crop rotation with legumes	Carlos Ovalle, CHL

WOCAT Approaches Database

Country	Code	Name of approach	Author
Chile	CHL01	»Zero Tillage	Carlos Ruiz, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias
Chile	CHL02	»Dissemination of soil conservation technologies in dryland areas	Carlos Ovalle, Chile

Selecting strategies: Stakeholder Workshop 2

2009-05-21T17:24:21Z

Results and conclusions from Stakeholder Workshop 2 "Selection and decision on technologies/approaches to be implemented", held in the Mediterranean dry land in south of Chile VII and VIII Region. November 12th 2009.

Authors: Carlos Ruiz, Alejandra Engler

NB This page contains a mixture of English and Spanish content.

The workshop methodology was designed and coordinated through Research Theme 3: Potential prevention & mitigation strategies and consisted of three main elements:

A participatory approach to guide and lead the workshop participants through a process of multi-criteria evaluation of different options which finally results in decision-making on strategies to be field-tested.
The WOCAT database containing locally applied options as well as options from a number of other contexts.
'Facilitator', a Multi Objective Decision Support System (MODSS) software to support the single steps of the evaluation and decision-making process.

Target groups were the same as in the 1st workshop: local stakeholders (land users, representatives of local authorities, local NGOs) and external stakeholders (researchers, development professionals, NGOs, GOs).

The following strategies were discussed during the workshop.

1. Aplicatión de guano (Application of guano)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (guano)_ES (187.68 kB)
2. Canales des desviación (Diversion channels)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (diversion channels)_ES (220.4 kB)
3. Cero labranza (Zero tillage)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (zero tillage)_ES (159.38 kB)
4. Control carcavas (Gully control)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (gully control)_ES (221.9 kB)
5. Manejo rastrojo cereal (Cereal stubble management)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (cereal stubble)_ES (203.21 kB)
6. Subsolado (Subsoiling)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (subsoiling)_ES (144.54 kB)
7. Zanjas de infiltración (Infiltration channels)
	WP3.3 Strategies: Chile (infiltration channels)_ES (147.45 kB)

As a result of the workshop, the following measure was selected for testing in field experiments.

Measures	Specifications	Type	Land use
Zero tillage	Including crop rotation	agronomic	cropland

More details ... download full report and see general results and conclusions from other study sites
	WP3.3 Stakeholder Workshop 2 Chile (report)
»Selecting strategies: Stakeholder Workshop 2 methodology and summary results from all study sites