Criteria 2.3: 2.3
2.3.6 Practices are adopted to conserve and improve soil stability and drainage
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Examples of practices to conserve and improve soil stability and drainage include:
plant tree borders to reduce soil erosion
re-vegetate steep areas
plant vegetation cover that contributes to increasing aggregate stability in the soil
not using fire to clear vegetation when preparing fields
avoid using heavy machinery, especially in areas with wet, fragile soils or areas with a high risk of soil erosion
build terraces and other natural structures to reduce land slope
dig trenches, water canals and other natural structures that contribute to drainage
Field operators are to follow one or more of the above practices or any other practice with results relevant to maintain or improve soil stability and drainage in the cultivation and wild collection sites, including sites where first stage processing facilities are located (if applicable). OaS supports the identification and implementation of those practices with monetary and other resources when those are not sufficient at the level of field operators. OaS is responsible for the implementation of practices in sites where processing facilities are if it is responsible for processing activities/facilities in cultivation/collection areas.
Practices followed are adequate when they tackle any possible negative impact on soil stability and drainage in cultivation/wild collection/first stage processing sites that comes from cultivation/wild collection and related activities.
For compliance (score 2) at least practices are followed where fire is not used to clear vegetation, heavy machinery use is avoided, and vegetation cover is planted to contribute to increasing aggregate stability in the soil.
In cases when field operators and OaS do not own the sites and permission is required to implement, permissions are obtained and interventions are implemented according to the decision. The UEBT soil management register template includes fields to report about soil management and conditions and can be used for reporting.
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DOCUMENTATION
Reporting where the implementation of practices is documented can be used as evidence to assess compliance. The UEBT soil management register template filled out can be used to assess compliance.
INTERVIEWS
Conversations with relevant informants explaining practices adopted can be used as evidence to assess compliance.
OBSERVATION
Witnessing the application of practices during audits can be used as evidence to assess compliance. Scoring guidance
0 - Cultivation, wild collection and related activities do not contribute to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage
1 - Some practices are identified to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage but are not implemented
2 - Most of the practices identified are implemented by most of the field operators and OaS, are relevant to contribute to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage but some improvements can be done and/or the practices can be spread further
3 - All practices identified are implemented by all field operators and OaS and contribute to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage
N/A - in the justification, please explain why
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Importance
Critical
ApplicabilityCultivationOaSField operators |