Humanity has evidenced significant changes in the enviromental causing impacts from different nature in the biosphera. Desertification for example, is a serious problem in places where it happens. In Brazil, the susceptible area to this process are located at the northeasthern, it is what we call "Sertão", where is the city of Sergipe "Nossa Senhora da Glória”. This study aimed to analyse the enviromental degradation and the process of anthropic desertification in the city of Nossa Senhora da Glória. Object of this study. So, to achieve this and other specific goals were used many methodological procedures associated to different stages, highlighting among them the bibliographic data and other documents that were useful to investigate the object of study, beside the outside activities. The results of this study show that in this city is evident in different places in the rural areas the prevalance of degraded areas and susceptible to the process of a thropic desertification, even if in reversible conditions with application of effective measures to combat the phenomenon. The human or the anthropic activities is was detected as being responsible as immediate causes the over cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation. Moreover, it must be... Recognized other deeper causes directly related to poverety, and it is not given other alternative to the farmers, instead of remove from the land as much as possible to solve their immediate needs, even compromising their long-term survival. On the other hand, the socio-economical vulnerability from the population of this region show low income, file expectancy, low economic productivity, concentration of land and wealth in the hands of a few, it is further agraveted by periodic droughts plaguing the semiarid region. It is conclused that thos whole situation reflected in the worsening of enviromental problems to be overcome depends on actions the go beyond sectoral polices and remedial guidance. / A humanidade tem evidenciado significativas mudanças no meio ambiente ocasionando impactos de diferentes naturezas na biosfera. A desertificação por exemplo, constitui um grave problema nos ambientes em que ocorre. No Brasil as áreas suscetíveis a esse processo localizam-se no Sertão nordestino, onde se situa o município sergipano de Nossa Senhora da Glória, objeto deste estudo. A presente pesquisa visou analisar a degradação ambiental e o processo de desertificação antrópica no município sergipano de Nossa Senhora da Glória. Assim, para atingir esse e outros objetivos específicos utilizaram-se diversos procedimentos metodológicos associados a diferentes etapas, destacando-se entre eles o levantamento de dados bibliográficos e de outros documentos que se mostraram úteis para a investigação do objeto, além das atividades de campo. Os resultados desse estudo mostram que no referido município evidencia-se em diferentes localidades do espaço rural a predominância de áreas degradadas e suscetíveis ao processo de desertificação antrópica, ainda em condições reversíveis com aplicação de medidas eficazes de combate ao fenômeno. No que pese as atividades humanas ou antrópicas detectou-se como responsáveis por suas causas imediatas o sobrecultivo, o pastoreio excessivo, o desmatamento e a irrigação inadequada. Além disso, há de se reconhecer outras causas mais profundas diretamente ligadas a pobreza que não deixam outra alternativa aos agricultores a não ser retirar o máximo da terra para satisfazer as suas necessidades imediatas, ainda que comprometendo sua subsistência a longo prazo. Por outro lado, a situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica da população sertaneja do município apresentando baixos índices de renda, expectativa de vida, baixa produtividade econômica, concentração de terras e de riqueza em poder de poucos, ainda é agravada pelas secas periódicas que assolam a região semiárida. Disso conclui-se que, toda essa situação repercute no agravamento dos problemas ambientais que para serem transpostos dependem de ações que vão além de políticas setoriais e de orientação remedial.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Historically, Brazil’s semi-arid climate has always suffered an excessive exploitation of natural resources. In this context, combined with the predatory activities carried out on the fragile environmental scenario of this region, a degradation process surges in great intensity, denominated desertification. The aforementioned process consists of the land degradation of arid, semi-arid and sub-humid areas due to several factors, including climate variations and anthropogenic derivations, resulting in negative impacts to both the environment and the affected population. According to the Program of State Action of Combat to Desertification – (PAE-SERGIPE), in the state of Sergipe, the territory Alto Sertão Sergipano is an area affected by the processes of desertification, with a high risk of degradation. However, such statement was not accompanied by detailed studies for the analysis of several different levels of fragility inside the territory. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the levels of susceptibility to desertification correlated to geoenvironmental indicators (vegetation index (NDVI), soil types, relief, pluviosity and land use), with emphasis on the dynamic vegetation cover, during the time period from 1987 to 2015, while the area of study was the municipality of Poço Redondo, located in the northeast area of the state of Sergipe. In order to achieve this, anchored in the systemic approach of Geography and the presumptions of the landscape’s geoecology, multiple methodological procedures were applied, namely: literature review, documental research, production and analysis of cartographic products, with the use of remote sensing and geoprocessing techniques; as well as fieldwork for in situ analysis of the proposed desertification indicators. Thus, the analysis of the susceptibility to desertification was carried out through the integration of geoenvironmental indicators (vegetation index (NDVI) soil types, relief, pluviosity and land use), correlating anthropogenic derivations with support from geotechnologies in a multicriteria analysis. Such indicators subsidized the integrated analysis, providing mapping of the susceptibility to desertification, with regard to the geoenvironmental order of the studied municipality. As main results, it can be highlighted that the municipality has the following indexes of susceptibility: 4,7% very low; 9,7% low; 25,7% medium; 43,2% high and 16,4% very high while 0,4% corresponding to the water bodies. The significant predominance of hydraulic deficiency, in almost every month of the year, contributes to the susceptibility to the process of environmental degradation. A spatial correlation was observed between the precipitation levels, soils, topography, and the situation of the vegetation cover as levels of susceptibility to desertification. Moreover, it can be said that in the area of study, the main causes of degradation/desertification derive from inadequate land use, with practices of deforesting, overgrazing, over-cropping and salinization of irrigated areas, processes which turned the areas more susceptible to this kind of environmental degradation. / O semiárido brasileiro apresentou historicamente um quadro de exploração excessiva dos recursos naturais. Nesse contexto, atrelado as atividades predatórias exercidas sobre o quadro geoambiental frágil desta região, surge um processo de degradação ambiental em grande intensidade, denominado desertificação. O processo supracitado consiste na degradação das terras em áreas áridas, semiáridas e subúmidas secas, advinda de vários fatores, incluindo as variações climáticas e as derivações antropogênicas, resultando em impactos negativos tanto para os domínios ambientais, como para a população por ela afetada. De acordo com o Programa de Ação Estadual de Combate à Desertificação (PAE-SERGIPE), no estado de Sergipe, o território do Alto Sertão Sergipano é uma área afetada pelos processos de desertificação, apresentando alto risco de degradação. Todavia, tal constatação não foi acompanhada por estudos detalhados para a análise dos diversos níveis de fragilidade dentro do território. Nesse sentido, a presente pesquisa objetivou analisar os níveis de suscetibilidade à desertificação correlacionados à indicadores geoambientais (índices de vegetação (NDVI), tipo de solos, relevo, pluviosidade e uso do solo), tendo destaque para à dinâmica da cobertura vegetal, no período compreendido entre os anos de 1987 a 2015, sendo o lócus de estudo o município de Poço Redondo, localizado no noroeste do estado de Sergipe. Para alcançar tal intento, ancorado na abordagem sistêmica em Geografia e os pressupostos da geoecologia das paisagens, foram utilizados múltiplos procedimentos metodológicos, a saber: revisão bibliográfica; pesquisa documental; elaboração e análise de documentos cartográficos, a partir de técnicas de sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento; além de trabalhos de campo para análise in loco dos indicadores de desertificação propostos. Assim, a análise da suscetibilidade à desertificação foi realizada através da integração dos indicadores geoambientais (índices de vegetação (NDVI) tipo de solos, relevo, pluviosidade e uso do solo), correlacionando as derivações antropogênicas com apoio das geotecnologias em analise multicritério. Tais indicadores subsidiaram a análise integrada, propiciando a elaboração do mapeamento da suscetibilidade ao processo de degradação/desertificação, com vistas ao ordenamento geoambiental do município estudado. Como principais resultados pode-se destacar que o município apresenta os seguintes índices de suscetibilidade: 4,7% muito baixa; 9,7% baixa; média 25,7%; alta 43,2% e muito alta 16,4%, sendo 0,4% correspondente aos corpos d’água. O predomínio significativo da deficiência hídrica, em quase todos os meses do ano, contribui para a susceptibilidade ao processo de degradação ambiental. Verificou-se a correlação espacial entre os níveis de precipitação, solos, topografia e a situação da cobertura vegetal com os níveis de suscetibilidade à desertificação. Ademais, pode-se destacar que, na área de estudo, as principais causas da degradação/desertificação derivam de manejo inadequado do solo, com práticas de desmatamento, sobrepastoreio, sobrecultivo e salinização de áreas irrigadas, processos que tornaram as áreas mais suscetíveis a essa modalidade de degradação ambiental.

No description available.

Multi-temporal remotely sensed data (MSS, TM and ETM+)were used for monitoring and mapping the desertification processes in North Kordofan State, Sudan.A liear mixture model (LMM) was adopted to analyse and the desertification proccesses by using the image endmembers. interpretation of ancillary data and field observation was adopted to verfiy the role of human impacts in the temporal changes in the study area. The findings of the study proved the powerfull of remotely sensed data in monitoring and mapping the desertification processes and come out with valuable recommendations which could contribute positively in reducing desert encroachment in the area.

La difficulté à comprendre la désertification dans les zones arides tunisiennes se manifeste dans les interactions complexes entre les dynamiques socioéconomiques et biophysiques à différentes échelles spatiales et temporelles. L’apport de ce travail réside tant dans les avancées sur la compréhension des causes et processus, que dans la proposition d’approches systémiques (climat-homme-espace-ressources : système CHER), géographiques (paysage) et multi-acteurs, associées à des méthodes (modèles et outils) reproductibles, pour l’évaluation et le suivi (indicateurs) des risques de désertification, en lien avec leurs déterminants interactifs, à une échelle territoriale. Le paysage, en tant que source d’information et instrument, est au cœur de ce travail. Ce dernier a conduit à i) la construction des modèles explicatifs CHER déclinés par type paysager (issue d’une lecture multidisciplinaire et de la caractérisation des paysages), ii) l’élaboration des indices de risque de désertification (par intégration spatiale des fonctionnements biophysiques et socioéconomiques et à travers la modélisation), iii) la compréhension et la comparaison entre types paysagers des risques et de la part respective prise par les causes socioéconomiques et biophysiques, et iv) la proposition de trois nouvelles approches/méthodes/outils visant à mieux évaluer les actions de lutte déjà mises en œuvre, cibler les futures actions et suivre la désertification. Les résultats ont tous été élaborés dans l’interdisciplinarité et avec la mobilisation des acteurs/décideurs de la gestion durable des territoires pour augmenter leur utilité dans les programmes de lutte contre la désertification, pour valoriser les observatoires de l’environnement et leur donner un rôle d’appui aux politiques publiques. / The difficulty in understanding desertification in the Tunisian arid zones manifested in the complex interactions between socioeconomic and biophysical dynamics at different spatial and temporal scales. This work contribute on advanced understanding of the causes and processes and propose a systemic (climate-human-space-resource: CHER), geographical (landscape) and multi-actors approaches associated with methods (models and tools) reproducible for the assessment and monitoring (indicators) of risk of desertification, according to its interactive determinants on a territory scale. The landscape, as a source of information and the tool, is at the core of this work which led to i) the construction of explanatory models broken down by type of landscape (based on multidisciplinary characterization of landscapes), ii) the development of indexes of desertification risk (based on spatial integration of biophysical and socio-economic functioning through modeling), iii) the understanding and comparison of risks and their respective causes in the landscape types, and iv) the proposal of three new approaches / methods / tools to better assess the actions already implemented to combat desertification, to better target future actions and to better monitor desertification. The results have all been developed in interdisciplinarity and involve the mobilization of actors / decision makers in the sustainable management of territories to increase their usefulness in programs to combat desertification, to value environmental observatories and give them a role to support public policies.

China's Minqin Oasis once welcomed traders along the ancient Silk Road with rivers, lakes, and lush forests, yet today the region's farmland and grassland are increasingly being engulfed by the sands of the Gobi Desert. The severity of this incremental catastrophe for a declining population of 300,000 residents has brought forth a host of recent water policies to include agronomic water conservation through plastic mulch use, computerized regulation and pricing of groundwater, and water diversions from the Yellow River. This study uses a multi-disciplinary and mixed methods approach to better understand farmer perspectives on why they implement certain water and land use practices in agriculture. The world's farmers currently use the majority of the world's available freshwater and arable land. Modern agriculture and its continued intensification also lead to increases in petroleum based inputs such as agrochemicals and agricultural plastics (plasticulture). Despite the large of impact of the decisions made by the world's farmers on natural resources, little research to date has sought to better understand farmers' perceptions and decision-making processes. Plastic film mulch is a technology that has existed since the 1940's and it has been used in places such as rural China for over five decades. This technology conserves a considerable amount of irrigation water and it increases harvests, however, use of plastic for mulch causes waste disposal problems and is an expenditure of petroleum through plastic manufacturing. Without a fundamental understanding of why farmers perceive plastic mulch to be valuable to their households and communities, we may not fully grasp why its global application continues to increase year after year. Moreover, a focused study of plastic mulch use at the local level may also allow researchers and entrepreneurs to develop a suitable alternative mulch that does not consume non-renewable resources or result in detrimental plastic waste after its utility has been exhausted. This study uses household level interviews, surveys, and participant observation to better understand why Minqin County farmers in rural China continue to use plastic mulch and how it may influence their standard of living. / Graduation date: 2013

Dans le sud-ouest mauritanien, la fragilité du milieu naturel, liée aux phénomènes de désertification, est perçue comme une contrainte majeure. L'intensité de la grande sécheresse sahélienne des décennies 70 et 80, conjuguée à une exploitation humaine excessive du milieu, a entrainé l'exacerbation des phénomènes d'érosion qui ont provoqué une dégradation continue, voire irréversible du potentiel biologique productif. Malgré une amélioration des conditions pluviométriques depuis le début des années 90, ce problème écologique reste préoccupant et constitue une entrave à la conservation des ressources naturelles et un frein au développement durable. Cette étude s'intéresse à la caractérisation de la désertification dans le sud-ouest de la Mauritanie par lanalyse des processus morphodynamiques, qui traduisent mieux la réponse environnementale aux changements climatiques et aux pressions anthropiques. Pour ce faire, nous nous sommes basés sur une approche méthodologique multisource et une analyse spatio-temporelle intégrant plusieurs indicateurs, qui nous ont permis dévaluer létat de ce phénomène. Cela suppose lexploitation des données climatiques et de télédétection, en modes synchronique et diachronique, pour l'individualisation des zones à risque et le monitoring de lévolution des processus en cours. L'analyse des données hydroclimatiques montre une grande variabilité saisonnière et interannuelle des précipitations et des débits. On note également que, malgré une amélioration récente de la pluviométrie, lérosion éolienne est devenue un élément essentiel de la dynamique morphogénétique dans le secteur étudié. Les traitements appliqués aux données télédétectées ont mis en évidence les changements qui ont affecté le secteur étudié et les caractéristiques morphologiques et morphodynamiques des systèmes dunaires. L'étude diachronique par les photographies aériennes et satellitales nous a permis de faire des mesures de surfaces de la couverture du sol, entre les différentes prises de vues (par digitalisation et seuillage). On note que les dunes ogoliennes, qui étaient fixées par la végétation, ont été ravivées et remises en mouvement. Le taux d'occupation de la végétation est passé de 16 à 4% de la zone entre 1954 et 2003. La mise en valeur de la vallée du Sénégal par les aménagements hydroagricoles a modifié le régime du fleuve et l'affectation du sol : les rizières ont remplacé, dans certains cas, les forêts-galeries. Les traitements informatiques des images satellitales optiques à différentes dates et de différents capteurs (calcul de divers indices de changement, classifications, filtrages) ont mis en évidence une dégradation généralisée des ensembles dunaires et une exacerbation de lactivité morphogénétique. Celle-ci a occasionné des modifications dans le modelé dunaire, au niveau des sommets de dunes notamment. On observe l'apparition de sifs orientés N-S (obliques par rapport aux dunes ogoliennes) mais aussi une multiplication et une migration des crêtes vives dont lagencement transforme les cordons dunaires en dunes longitudinales complexes. Par ailleurs, le traitement interférométrique des données radar ERS se révèle très intéressant pour le suivi de la dynamique de la surface des sols. Lévolution temporelle de la cohérence (en 24h et en 105 jours) indique que la majeure partie de la zone détude est composée de sables vifs qui participent à lédification des nouvelles formes dunaires et qui sont, en général, situés à proximité des installations humaines, autour desquelles apparaissent des auréoles de dénudation. En outre, l'étude sédimentologique indique une augmentation de la taille moyenne des grains, suite à une compétence accrue du vent, et l'observation sur le terrain montre de nouvelles manifestations de l'érosion mécanique, liées à la déflation et au ravinement. Les différents résultats obtenus lors de cette analyse multisource soulignent une intense dégradation des écosystèmes dont la restauration risque d'être lente et nécessiterait, dans certains cas, des mesures de conservation. Les processus morphodynamiques consécutifs ou inhérents à la désertification représentent ainsi un sérieux défi qui aggrave létat de dégradation des milieux dans les zones arides et semi-arides.

La desertificació és un problema de degradació de sòls de gran importància en regions àrides, semi-àrides i sub-humides, amb serioses conseqüències ambientals, socials i econòmiques com a resultat de l'impacte d'activitats humanes en combinació amb condicions físiques i medi ambientals desfavorables (UNEP, 1994).L'objectiu principal d'aquesta tesi va ser el desenvolupament d'una metodologia simple per tal de poder avaluar de forma precisa l'estat i l'evolució de la desertificació a escala local, a través de la creació d'un model anomenat sistema d'indicators de desertificació (DIS). En aquest mateix context, un dels dos objectius específics d'aquesta recerca es va centrar en l'estudi dels factors més importants de degradació de sòls a escala de parcel.la, comportant un extens treball de camp, analisi de laboratori i la corresponent interpretació i discussió dels resultats obtinguts. El segon objectiu específic es va basar en el desenvolupament i aplicació del DIS.L'àrea d'estudi seleccionada va ser la conca de la Serra de Rodes, un ambient típic Mediterràni inclòs en el Parc Natural del Cap de Creus, NE Espanya, el qual ha estat progressivament abandonat pels agricultors durant el segle passat. Actualment, els incendis forestals així com el canvi d'ús del sòl i especialment l'abandonament de terres són considerats els problemes ambientals més importants a l'àrea d'estudi (Dunjó et al., 2003).En primer lloc, es va realitzar l'estudi dels processos i causes de la degradació dels sòls a l'àrea d'interés. En base a aquest coneixement, es va dur a terme la identificació i selecció dels indicadors de desertificació més rellevants. Finalment, els indicadors de desertificació seleccionats a escala de conca, incloent l'erosió del sòl i l'escolament superficial, es van integrar en un model espaial de procés.Ja que el sòl és considerat el principal indicador dels processos d'erosió, segons la FAO/UNEP/UNESCO (1979), tant el paisatge original així com els dos escenaris d'ús del sòl desenvolupats, un centrat en el cas hipotétic del pas d'un incendi forestal, i l'altre un paisatge completament cultivat, poden ser ambients classificats sota baixa o moderada degradació. En comparació amb l'escenari original, els dos escenaris creats van revelar uns valors més elevats d'erosió i escolament superficial, i en particular l'escenari cultivat. Per tant, aquests dos hipotètic escenaris no semblen ser una alternativa sostenible vàlida als processos de degradació que es donen a l'àrea d'estudi. No obstant, un ampli ventall d'escenaris alternatius poden ser desenvolupats amb el DIS, tinguent en compte les polítiques d'especial interés per la regió de manera que puguin contribuir a determinar les conseqüències potencials de desertificació derivades d'aquestes polítiques aplicades en aquest escenari tan complexe espaialment.En conclusió, el model desenvolupat sembla ser un sistema força acurat per la identificació de riscs presents i futurs, així com per programar efectivament mesures per combatre la desertificació a escala de conca. No obstant, aquesta primera versió del model presenta varies limitacions i la necessitat de realitzar més recerca en cas de voler desenvolupar una versió futura i millor del DIS. / The aim of this research was to develop a simple methodology for precisely appraising the status and trends of desertification in a semi-arid Mediterranean catchment, through a so-called desertification indicator system (DIS).The assessment of land degradation processes at plot scale was conducted through the monitoring of runoff-erosion microplots. As a result, a set of variables such as soil erosion, soil organic matter and vegetation cover, were identified as the most important factors for soil quality in the target area, and some of these were applied as inputs in the DIS model, accounting for their relevance not only at the plot but also at catchment scale. Regarding the parameter sensitivity of the DIS model, the saturated hydraulic conductivity as well as the erodability factor were identified as the most sensitive variables, whereas the soil-b parameter and also the vegetation cover and the slope angle were revealed as those affecting soil erosion and overland flow the least. Likewise, the model showed greater sensitivity to the dry than to the normal or wet rainfall scenarios. From the results of a plot scale model validation exercise it may be concluded that the behaviour of runoff and erosion at plot scale is somewhat different to that at the landscape scale: a scaling problem. At the plot scale, soil erosion was greatly overestimated by the model in the least vegetated environments and especially under cultivated olive trees, whilst it was slightly underestimated in the most vegetated ones (e.g. dense cork trees). The same pattern was found for overland flow, although measured and modelled runoff data were in the same order of magnitude and so errors were smaller than for erosion. Nevertheless, results may be considered significant in terms of which land uses are the most and least potentially degraded and in this way, the model fulfils its objective as a desertification support tool as it identifies the patterns of change expected, if not the magnitudes. The model would need to be more complex, have better and more input data and a regional scale validation if the magnitudes were to be predicted reliably.Since soil loss is considered the main indicator of soil erosion processes, according to FAO/UNEP/UNESCO (1979), the original landscape as well as the two developed scenarios, one related to a hypothetical landscape after a wildfire and another to a completely cultivated landscape, may be classified as being under low to moderate land degradation. In comparison to the original scenario, both developed scenarios were revealed to have higher soil erosion and runoff rates, especially the cultivated scenario. Hence, these two scenarios seem not to be a sustainable alternative to land degradation processes in the study area. However, a wide range of alternative scenarios may be developed with the DIS model, based on policies of particular relevance to the region and which help to determine the potential desertification consequences of these policies in this spatially complex landscape.

The process of allocating necessary resources like clean water, fuel/energy and food have resulted in an unsustainable use of natural resources causing problems with Soil erosion, soil fertility, desertification, deforestation, eutrophication and global warming. The purpose of this study was to gain information on the functional design of a waste management system enabling the organic components of domestic waste to be processed as useful resources while at the same time allow them to be re-circulated. The main part of this study was carried out at the Kendu SDA Hospital in the Rachyonyo district in western Kenya. For the case of this study two main objectives where chosen. The first was to develop a principal technological solution using three classed “appropriate technologies” found suitable for the purpose namely biogas, ecological water treatment systems and slow sand filtration. The second was to further analyse each included technology to further develop their potential to fit the concept. Results from the pilot facilities where then to be retrieved from the actual component selection and construction process itself, with performance analysis left for future studies. The main purpose of the biogas system study has been to evaluate the original ideas of overall concept, details, materials and construction methods. The 1 m3 biogas system has improved significantly during the development process and is today not far from an implementation, i.e. construction on a slightly larger scale. The biogas system developed during the project has proven to have potential for digestion of both latrine and kitchen waste. Using the two as fuel for the process does not only remove a problem – it grants several benefits. The ecological waste water treatment system main objective was to design and construct a pilot SSF-wetland. Results show that the construction process for smaller scaled SSF systems is simple and does not require trained personnel or specialized equipment and that significant cost reduction can be made by using locally available materials. The slow sand filtration sub system concept is called PT SCX and though still in the stage of development proved to have great potential concerning both efficiency and sustainability. The PT SCX comprises the advantages of slow sand filtration with further development of individual system solutions. It was adapted to enable both integration to the IWESS solution and stand alone installations purifying even highly turbid surface water sources to drinking water quality. The result from the study confirms the suitability of the three included technologies, ecological waste water treatment, biogas and slow sand filtration to work in an integrated system called IWESS- Integrated Water Energy and Sanitation Solution. The combined subsystems can together with source separated sewage offer full resource recovery enabling recirculation of both nutrients and water. In addition the system can be designed as a net producer of renewable and emission free energy.

<p>The process of allocating necessary resources like clean water, fuel/energy and food have resulted in an unsustainable use of natural resources causing problems with Soil erosion, soil fertility, desertification, deforestation, eutrophication and global warming. The purpose of this study was to gain information on the functional design of a waste management system enabling the organic components of domestic waste to be processed as useful resources while at the same time allow them to be re-circulated. The main part of this study was carried out at the Kendu SDA Hospital in the Rachyonyo district in western Kenya. For the case of this study two main objectives where chosen. The first was to develop a principal technological solution using three classed “appropriate technologies” found suitable for the purpose namely biogas, ecological water treatment systems and slow sand filtration. The second was to further analyse each included technology to further develop their potential to fit the concept. Results from the pilot facilities where then to be retrieved from the actual component selection and construction process itself, with performance analysis left for future studies.</p><p>The main purpose of the biogas system study has been to evaluate the original ideas of overall concept, details, materials and construction methods. The 1 m3 biogas system has improved significantly during the development process and is today not far from an implementation, i.e. construction on a slightly larger scale. The biogas system developed during the project has proven to have potential for digestion of both latrine and kitchen waste. Using the two as fuel for the process does not only remove a problem – it grants several benefits.</p><p>The ecological waste water treatment system main objective was to design and construct a pilot SSF-wetland. Results show that the construction process for smaller scaled SSF systems is simple and does not require trained personnel or specialized equipment and that significant cost reduction can be made by using locally available materials.</p><p>The slow sand filtration sub system concept is called PT SCX and though still in the stage of development proved to have great potential concerning both efficiency and sustainability. The PT SCX comprises the advantages of slow sand filtration with further development of individual system solutions. It was adapted to enable both integration to the IWESS solution and stand alone installations purifying even highly turbid surface water sources to drinking water quality.</p><p>The result from the study confirms the suitability of the three included technologies, ecological waste water treatment, biogas and slow sand filtration to work in an integrated system called IWESS- Integrated Water Energy and Sanitation Solution. The combined subsystems can together with source separated sewage offer full resource recovery enabling recirculation of both nutrients and water. In addition the system can be designed as a net producer of renewable and emission free energy.</p>