Final Report Summary - RECONDES (Conditions for Restoration and Mitigation of Desertified Areas Using Vegetation)
The RECONDES project aimed to utilise innovative techniques in order to mitigate desertification processes through the application of vegetation in areas susceptible to degradation. RECONDES focused on Mediterranean areas and was structured in six distinct, yet interrelated, work packages (WPs) which analysed the following cases:
1. reforested land;
2. rain-fed cropland;
3. semi-natural and abandoned land;
4. hill slopes and gullies;
5. river valleys;
6. catchments.
? series of practical guidelines for the exploitation of vegetation was subsequently produced based on the project findings, taking into account spatial variability in the related geomorphological and human-driven processes.
Firstly, a thorough understanding of the degradation mechanism was necessary, along with the determination of critical conditions for the maintenance and restoration of soil and land quality and ecosystem health. As a result an extensive, multi-disciplinary literature review was undertaken, including evaluation of the available conceptual models, collation of fragmented knowledge and selection of suitable theoretical background for project analyses. Reviewing and modelling findings were synthesised in a book that encompassed numerous themes related to different land types and integrated aspects of processes and characteristics of soils, plants and vegetation. In addition, further research was planned to fill the pinpointed information gaps.
In-situ monitoring of hydrological characteristics in targeted catchments was also performed as part of RECONDES. A field protocol for variables' measurement was produced and successfully implemented. The conditions for vegetation growth and survival were investigated both at catchment and land-unit scale, including multispectral analysis of satellite imagery. Moreover, methods were developed and applied so as to link erosion pathways and connectivity and measure the effects of vegetation spacing and density. Baseline data was compiled for the selected field locations and made available on the project site.
Numerous simulation alternatives were also assessed, and the Eurosem model was selected as being the most adequate for the examined conditions. The model was adapted to take into consideration terraces and breaks of slope and incorporate vegetation. Both hydrographs and sedigraphs were produced from planes within the landscape that could be concatenated, along with representative maps which were subsequently evaluated in the field. Finally, methods for the assessment of potential connectivity were developed, along with guidelines on vegetation use and alternative engineering options.
1. reforested land;
2. rain-fed cropland;
3. semi-natural and abandoned land;
4. hill slopes and gullies;
5. river valleys;
6. catchments.
? series of practical guidelines for the exploitation of vegetation was subsequently produced based on the project findings, taking into account spatial variability in the related geomorphological and human-driven processes.
Firstly, a thorough understanding of the degradation mechanism was necessary, along with the determination of critical conditions for the maintenance and restoration of soil and land quality and ecosystem health. As a result an extensive, multi-disciplinary literature review was undertaken, including evaluation of the available conceptual models, collation of fragmented knowledge and selection of suitable theoretical background for project analyses. Reviewing and modelling findings were synthesised in a book that encompassed numerous themes related to different land types and integrated aspects of processes and characteristics of soils, plants and vegetation. In addition, further research was planned to fill the pinpointed information gaps.
In-situ monitoring of hydrological characteristics in targeted catchments was also performed as part of RECONDES. A field protocol for variables' measurement was produced and successfully implemented. The conditions for vegetation growth and survival were investigated both at catchment and land-unit scale, including multispectral analysis of satellite imagery. Moreover, methods were developed and applied so as to link erosion pathways and connectivity and measure the effects of vegetation spacing and density. Baseline data was compiled for the selected field locations and made available on the project site.
Numerous simulation alternatives were also assessed, and the Eurosem model was selected as being the most adequate for the examined conditions. The model was adapted to take into consideration terraces and breaks of slope and incorporate vegetation. Both hydrographs and sedigraphs were produced from planes within the landscape that could be concatenated, along with representative maps which were subsequently evaluated in the field. Finally, methods for the assessment of potential connectivity were developed, along with guidelines on vegetation use and alternative engineering options.