Thematic studies in the field of agri-environment
The Agricultural and Regional Information System Unit (ARIS) of the Joint Research Centre is preparing to launch an invitation to tender for a study on the provision of thematic expertise in the field of agri-environment. The ARIS unit needs scientific and technical expertise concerning thematic studies in the field of geo-spatial information for the agri-environment. It is expected that tender proceedings will begin in the second quarter of 2000. The following three tasks will be required: - carrying out scientific thematic studies; - validation and implementation of the results of the studies through a geo-spatial modelling approach; - exploitation of European geo-spatial databases such as soil map, meteorological information, land-use and land-cover to elaborate policy-relevant agri-environmental indicators. The study will cover issues related to water, soil, climate and land. Concerning water, the following topics should be covered: - quality: surface and ground water concentration in nitrogen, phosphorous, pesticide, sediment; use intensity: spatial and temporal availability of water resources; Concerning soil, the following should be addressed: - quality: salinisation, acidification; compaction, waterlogging, erosion; productivity, organic matter; For climate issues, the following need covering: - global change: contamination from pesticides, gas emission from soil, bio-mass burning; climate change: emissions of GHG from agriculture, agriculture as a sink for GHG; production of renewable energy from bio-mass and bio-fuels. The study on land issues should address: - characterisation of landscape features; bio-diversity of 'domestic' plants, livestock but also of wildlife; wildlife habitat on agricultural land, semi-natural and natural habitats. The estimated contract size will be 170,000 euro.