Protecting Europe from desertification
The fight against land turning to desert in Europe's Mediterranean region was supported by the 'Land care in desertification affected areas: from science towards application' (Lucinda) project. The EU-funded project compiled the findings of past and present research programmes to summarise the latest knowledge regarding processes behind land degradation and desertification. Enormous amounts of scientific research were successfully combined into a single information pack and disseminated through the consortium's website. The information was disseminated to regional and local authorities. These organisations were approached following national participation in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). A DVD was also created and distributed using a previously established network of stakeholders. The information packs were in English, Greek, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish and described land management techniques that help to protect and conserve soil and water resources. The guidelines enabled stakeholders to develop methods for combatting desertification in areas deemed under threat by the UN Convention. Key themes addressed included the raising of public awareness and the use of public policy to help protect areas at risk.% Thanks to the Lucinda project, large areas of southern Europe will be more able to withstand the challenges posed by climate change and the threat of desertification.
