Combating soil erosion training for Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve

Year:
2024

Summary:

Apex Conservation Services facilitated a training course on methods for combating soil erosion for the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR). The training was undertaken over three days, with the first day spent on the theoretical component of the training, and the last two days on practical techniques implementing the erosion treatment measures. The attendees included GCBR project managers, implementers, and interns.

A manual was developed by Apex as an introduction to soil degradation and practical rehabilitation guidelines. The objectives of the theoretical training and the manual were to provide trainees with the knowledge to:

• Understand factors influencing soil erosion, as well as common types and causes of soil erosion
• Understand the outcomes that should be aimed at for rehabilitation methods
• Implement a variety of practical techniques for soil erosion treatment

The purpose of the manual was not only to serve as a resource during the course, but also as a field resource that can be consulted during the implementation of soil erosion treatments. The trainees were provided with key information for each method, including objectives of each method, how to plan for implementation, specifications and application instructions, risks of each method, maintenance that could be required, and quality control. At the request of the GCBR the manual was also tailored to include common causes of erosion in wetlands, how to identify erosion of wetlands, and the available soil erosion treatment methods that can be implemented.

During the two-day practical component of the training, the trainees had the opportunity to receive hands-on training implementing the soil erosion treatments. The trainees were taken to different sites with multiple types of soil erosion present and where treatment methods had already been implemented.  The practical training also included:

• Learning how to identify where soil erosion treatment measures are necessary on a site
• Learning how to plan for site-specific soil erosion treatments, using a combination of methods on a site
• Learning how to implement several of these treatment methods, with all the trainees participating in installing a number of different soil erosion treatment methods in areas where soil degradation had occurred.

This training course supplied the trainees with the knowledge and practical experience to determine where soil erosion treatment methods are required, and how to successfully implement these methods. The manual provided for each participant can be used as a valuable resource in any future rehabilitation efforts that will be undertaken in the GCBR domain.