Costs can be quite variable. It depends on the size, materials, location and transport costs. The cost of building a gabion basket will be lower than buying baskets. When buying gabion baskets, the cost can be quite high, but the price range is quite wide. There are many different qualities and prices vary from country to country. If you buy a roll of mesh to build a gabion yourself, the cost can be much lower. In addition, if stones are available at the site, the cost will be much lower. If the stones are not available, they have to be transported and sometimes bought, which makes it much more expensive. Also, the cost of stones varies greatly depending on the type and size of stone. It is therefore difficult to give an overview of the costs. Labor costs also depend on the situation and the number of people working on it.
Things to consider for making a price indication of the project:
- The gabion baskets/gabion basket construction materials
- Stones
- Transportation
- Labor
- Trainings
1. Wetlands restoration with the use of gabions in Rugezi, Rwanda
Description
Gabions, wire mesh baskets filled with rocks or other materials, have been effectively utilized in landscape restoration efforts in Rwanda, specifically in the restoration project at Rugezi Marsh in the Northern Province. Facing severe land degradation due to deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, and climate change, Rugezi Marsh suffered from significant soil erosion and loss of fertile land, impacting water quality and biodiversity downstream. The project aimed to restore the landscape and improve the ecological integrity of the marsh by implementing gabions as a primary erosion control measure. Key steps included detailed site assessment, community engagement, design and planning, construction of gabion structures, and vegetation integration. Gabions proved successful in reducing soil erosion, stabilizing slopes, and preventing further land degradation. Additionally, they contributed to improving water quality and biodiversity by reducing sedimentation and providing habitat for various species. The project also provided benefits to local communities by creating employment opportunities and enhancing knowledge of sustainable land management practices. Despite initial challenges such as high costs and the need for technical expertise, gabions proved to be a sustainable solution with low maintenance requirements. Their adaptability in addressing erosion issues in various landscapes, coupled with community involvement and vegetation integration, highlights their effectiveness as a valuable tool in landscape restoration and sustainable land management efforts in Rwanda.
2. Gabions in Douar Anguelz Ounila, Morocco
Description
As a result of overgrazing and tree-cutting, the region of Anguelz in Morocco has been facing severe land-related stresses in the past decade. Where once lay lush and vibrant mountains, now the landscape has turned completely arid. With the help of Perma Atlas the people from Anguelz have come together to regreen the landscape and bring it back to its former healthy state. A major issue that the area is facing is the lack of rain and seasonal flooding events. Community members have been taught in workshops hosted by Perma Atlas how to implement three interventions to help mitigate and reduce the impacts of flooding and erosion. Gabions is one of these interventions, which represents cages or boxes made of wire which are usually filled with rocks. Their function is to act as dams by diverting rapid water flows, which helps in reducing the intensity of flooding, which in turn contributes to reducing erosion. The construction of gabions doesn’t require big machines, only a few hand tools such as axe, shovel and pickaxe, which were already available at the local level. A local method called “the Egyptian scale” has been implemented. The biggest challenge local farmers face is where to place the gabions to facilitate their biggest impact.
