Papers by Frank van Steenbergen
Ecological Solutions and Evidence
1. Rainwater harvesting from Roads For Indigenous Pasture production and improved rural livelihoo... more 1. Rainwater harvesting from Roads For Indigenous Pasture production and improved rural livelihoods in Kitui, Kenya (ROFIP) is an applied research project. It assessed the potential of combining multiple sustainable land management practices, for example native grass reseeding, rainwater harvesting from roads and in situ microcatchments to enhance vegetation cover in a semi-arid dryland in Kenya. 2. Rural earth roads were used as a catchment. Runoff generated from rainfall events was diverted into reseeded pastures with trenches established at intervals, across a slope. The ROFIP project also integrated microcatchments created using ox-driven ploughs, a traditional practice for seedbed preparation and harnessing in situ rainwater harvesting in African drylands. 3. Combining the diversion of runoff from roads and harvesting rainwater in situ improves and prolongs soil moisture availability in reseeded pastures. Consequently, this translated to higher biomass yields (i.e. forage for livestock) and vegetation cover (land degradation mitigation and enhanced soil health). This project clearly showed that combining rainwater harvesting and native pasture reseeding improves water retention and soil health, thus improving sustainable pasture production. 4. However, for this to be achieved, it is prudent to involve practitioners to codesign practical solutions that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. Multi-stakeholder engagement, effective knowledge sharing, and community involvement can be major enablers in the pursuit of environmental and socioeconomic relevant benefits in applied research projects in Africa. This approach enhances a sense of shared purpose among practitioners and empowers them to become points of reference to their peers.
Basin-wide productivity and livelihood analysis of flood-based agricultural systems in African drylands: A case study in the Fogera floodplain
Agricultural Water Management
Groundwater recharge through landscape restoration and surface water harvesting for climate resilience
Groundwater for Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Growth, 2022
The Political Economy of Water Management in Yemen: Conflict Analysis and Recommendations
Yemenis are amongst those populations with the lowest water availability per capita in the world,... more Yemenis are amongst those populations with the lowest water availability per capita in the world, an acute water crisis looms over the country. The scarcity of this resource is an immediate threat to stability and human security. To tackle the root of this problem, The Hague Institute published the report “The political economy of water conflicts in Yemen” at a high-level roundtable in the capital Sana’a, in November 2014. Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab region and is faced with political instability, aggravated by the scarcity of water. According to unofficial estimates, 2,500 Yemenis die as a result of water-related conflicts. Despite research and aid work in Yemen in recent years, significant knowledge gaps remain, especially concerning the use of national and local rules and procedures for solving resource-related conflicts. To fill these gaps, the team analyzed how water conflicts arise in specific cases. They also studied which formal and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms stakeholders resort to, including the effectiveness of current practices, formal, and traditional rules. The Dutch representation in Yemen is following up on the policy relevant recommendations for prevention and resolution of water-related conflicts offered in the report. As knowledge, or the lack thereof, has an obvious role in the emergence and resolution of conflict, one key recommendation is to increase the knowledge exchange with the general public. By using mobile phones to document traditional water usage rules and conflict settlements, and by monitoring the implementation of court decisions, transparency should create the credibility needed for sustainable results. The Hague Institute report also raises awareness of the relationship between water scarcity and conflict and the possibilities for conflict settlement. Another key recommendation covers developing mobile water courts to bridge the gap between formal and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms. These courts will bring legal solutions to isolated areas, thus providing education about appropriate law in specific conflict settings. Finally, the report provides expert advice on how to resolve conflicts outside of court, for instance through mediation, which might de-escalate potential violent conflicts.
THE GATEKEEPER SERIES of the Natural Resources Group at IIED is produced by the Sustainable Agric... more THE GATEKEEPER SERIES of the Natural Resources Group at IIED is produced by the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods Programme. The Series aims to highlight key topics in the field of sustainable natural resource management. Each paper reviews a selected issue of contemporary importance and draws preliminary conclusions for de-velopment that are particularly relevant for policymakers, researchers and planners. References are provided to important sources and background material. The Series is published three times a year – in April, August and December – and is supported by the
Steps towards groundwater-sensitive land use governance and management practices
Advances in Groundwater Governance, 2017
Assessing the Effectiveness of Water Governance in Combating Groundwater Degradation in Al-Mujaylis, Tihama Coastal Plain, Yemen
The coastal areas in Yemen are threatened by much environmental degradation such as sand dunes mo... more The coastal areas in Yemen are threatened by much environmental degradation such as sand dunes movements, desertification, groundwater drawdown and seawater intrusion. Collaborative research based on participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in Al-Mujaylis village, located in the downstream part of Wadi Zabid and Wadi Rima (wadi is Arabic term referring to valley) on the Tihama coastal plain along the Red Sea, to get a better understanding of the problems related to the groundwater resources and to determine the role of water governance in combating groundwater degradation. It was found that the area suffers from many problems such as sinking groundwater levels caused by changing rainfall patterns and a decrease in the amount of groundwater recharge. Findings show that, due to changing agricultural practices in the upper area of Wadi Zabid and Wadi Rima, traditional spate water distribution rights no longer achieve justice farmers along the wadis. However, it was found that ...
Institutional change in local water resource management : cases from Balochistan
Author response for "Morphoecological characteristics of grasses used to restore degraded semi‐arid African rangelands
Guidelines on spate irrigation
Groundwater and Surface Water in the Mega-Irrigation Systems of Pakistan
Groundwater use has increased across Pakistan, nowhere more than in the large canal-irrigated are... more Groundwater use has increased across Pakistan, nowhere more than in the large canal-irrigated areas of the Indus basin irrigation system (IBIS). These mega-irrigation systems use surface water and groundwater, often in equal measure. The two water sources are the same source and should be managed as such. Groundwater supplied by seepage from the surface system is pumped up to complement surface water supplies. The delivery of surface water supplies determines how much groundwater is used and how much recharge will happen. In most cases, such conjunctive management will not 'cost' extra water to make significant gains in yields and support drought resilience. This case study discusses Pakistan’s contrasting experiences with conjunctive use in the Punjab and Sindh provinces and attempts to move toward conjunctive management.
Shanxi Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is experiencing reduced water security fo... more Shanxi Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is experiencing reduced water security for the agriculture sector. Changing climate conditions, including reduced rainfall, are increasing reliance on groundwater resources in the province. Unsustainable groundwater use for food production intensifies the impacts of climate change, and cost-effective adaptation responses are needed to better equip vulnerable agricultural regions.1
Spate irrigation: good for people, livestock and crops
Ideas for local action in water management Ideas for local action in water management
This country profile, commissioned by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of ... more This country profile, commissioned by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of Inclusive Green Growth), gives a snapshot of what is happening in the closely related themes Food & Nutrition Security, Water and Climate and Renewable Energy in Sudan. It provides basic statistics on Sudan’s performance on key indicators and indexes, but also analyses relevant national policies, current donor interventions, and the main trends on the above mentioned themes. Combined with an overview of Dutch support to Sudan, this profile concludes by suggesting potential priority result areas for The Netherlands.
Roads for Water in Coastal Lowlands
Green Roads for Water: Guidelines for Road Infrastructure in Support of Water Management and Climate Resilience, 2021
Making It Work: Governance for Green Roads for Water
Green Roads for Water: Guidelines for Road Infrastructure in Support of Water Management and Climate Resilience, 2021
Roads for Water in Mountain Areas
Green Roads for Water: Guidelines for Road Infrastructure in Support of Water Management and Climate Resilience, 2021
Roads for Watershed Management
Green Roads for Water: Guidelines for Road Infrastructure in Support of Water Management and Climate Resilience, 2021
Roadside Farm Ponds
Green Roads for Water: Guidelines for Road Infrastructure in Support of Water Management and Climate Resilience, 2021
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Papers by Frank van Steenbergen