Soil loss, runoff, soil fertility change, and crop yield are being monitored. Important data on the impact of nitrogen-fixing hedgerows on soil conservation, fertility changes, and crop yield are being generated. One mini-meteorological station was established and standard meteorological recording is being carried out on a daily basis using both automatic and manual equipment. There are two sites in Pakistan. The first site is located at Begowal, Islamabad, at an altitude of 600 masl, ranging from 0 to 480 C in temperature, and the rainfall ranging from 1,000 to 1,200mm.
Land degradation is a common and serious problem here.
The site covers 2.5 hectares with slopes ranging from 5 to100. Some 1,500 metres of hedgerows have been established with several nitrogen-fixing plants. In order to increase the function of the hedgerow system as a soil erosion barrier, one row of grass was planted along the down-slope of each hedgerow. This row of grass not only enhances the function of the soil erosion barrier, but also provides additional benefits of fodder. The second site was selected at the beginning of Phase II for testing and demonstration of the contour hedgerow technology on steeper slopes.