ABSTRACT
The original rationale for the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) was that there is a wealth of know-how that is simply not documented. This is one of the reasons why soil degradation persists, despite decades of effort throughout the world. WOCAT was formally established in 1992 as a global network of specialists in soil and water conservation (SWC). This chapter demonstrates how WOCAT also plays an important role in supporting and enhancing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of SWC. That includes the process of spot check self-evaluation, where individuals use questionnaires to compile and compare information and knowledge. In addition, WOCAT contributes to M&E through taking specific questions and using these to regularly monitor specific parameters. These two functions are described here. One other objective in this chapter is to show and analyse what WOCAT has in its database regarding the M&E processes of SWC initiatives worldwide. The advantages of M&E through WOCAT are basically three. First, there is a comprehensive array of questions covering most important aspects of SWC 478initiatives. Second, WOCAT provides a consistent methodology. Third, this consistency means that SWC programmes can both put their achievements in the “marketplace” that the databases provide and make comparative assessments at the same time.
