Objective CReScenDo aims at quantifying the extent and thickness of peatlands from the local to the regional scale, to accurately define their importance in the global carbon cycle. Peatlands are extraordinary reservoirs of organic carbon (almost matching, according to some estimates, the atmospheric carbon pool), which is currently being released into the atmosphere due to a number of often anthropogenic degradation processes (e.g. soil drainage, fires, etc.). The conservation of peatlands is therefore a key measure to reduce CO2 emissions and to mitigate climate change (e.g. according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). However, regional and global estimates of peat deposits remain highly uncertain and an effective quantification methodology is still missing, negatively impacting our ability to plan effective conservation strategies. The innovative approach proposed by CReScenDo combines passive and active satellite remote sensing and geophysical data collected from airborne platforms to map extent and thickness of peat deposits at regional scale. The proposed methodology will yield a set of integrated observations providing the first large-scale picture of the relations among peat deposits, geomorphological features, and soil and environmental characteristics. Three peatland areas (two in Europe and one in Asia) are selected to implement and test the methodology, using field observations to improve the accuracy and quantify the uncertainty. The ability of the methodology to characterize/classify different peat types will also be tested and used to map the carbon pool stored at the three study sites. The applicant has a solid background in optical remote sensing and ecological modelling applied to salt-water wetlands. The hands-on training performed at the host institution and at a private company (Secondment) will provide her with new scientific competences in topographic and geophysical data analysis tools with tremendous impact on her mid/long-term career. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencenatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic zonesnatural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectrolysisengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringremote sensingnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA Net EU contribution € 180 277,20 Address VIA 8 FEBBRAIO 2 35122 Padova Italy See on map Region Nord-Est Veneto Padova Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 180 277,20
