World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT)
WOCAT is an established global network which supports innovation and decision-making processes in sustainable land management (SLM). WOCAT has developed standardized tools for documenting, monitoring, evaluating, and sharing know-how on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) – as well as for disseminating this know-how around the globe.
The WOCAT global database on SLM (WOCAT_SLM) contains a full range of different case studies and maps documented from all over the world. It has three major components: (i) a database of SLM Technologies, (ii) a database of SLM Approaches, and (iii) a database of UNCCD PRAIS Practices. An SLM Technology is a land management practice that controls land degradation and enhances productivity and/ or other ecosystem services. An SLM Approach defines the ways and means used to implement an SLM Technology, including the stakeholders involved and their roles. A UNCCD PRAIS Practice is a best practice in SLM, as previously shared by UNCCD Parties through the UNCCD PRAIS system in the UNCCD reporting process.
Currently (2019-07-01) a total of 1977 SLM Practices have been published from 131 countries by 396 users, consisting of 1073 SLM Technologies, 461 SLM Approaches and 443 UNCCD PRAIS Practices. The database contains for each published SLM Practice a detailed description of the practice, a classification, technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, costs, a description of the natural and human environment, its impacts, references and links.
These data were mainly compiled through the questionnaire on Sustainable Land Management Technologies (WOCAT_QT) and the questionnaire on Sustainable Land Management Approaches (WOCAT_QA), which provide standardized formats and allow uploading the information into the SLM database. The summaries for these questionnaires are provided elsewhere in the LRP Toolbox and can be accessed using the Search function.
An important addition to the database is a Climate Change Adaptation module (CCA) which assesses whether a specific SLM Technology is adapted to gradual climate changes and climate-related extremes (natural disasters).
An explicit characteristic of WOCAT is its rigorous review process, which can result in approval or rejection of a proposed new SLM Technology/ Approach prior to publication. The review process goes through various steps and actor roles, starting from the compiler, who is responsible for data entry into the database, over editors, a reviewer, a publisher, and finally the WOCAT secretariat.