Objective
The additional participation of Slovenian partners to the project: "Palynological study on desertification in South-Western Europe: timing, natural trends and human impact" 5EC contract EV5V-0027, which is being carried out by Italian, Spanish and Portuguese scientists, adds important elements to an understanding of the geographical, biological, physical and human factors inducing aridification phenomena.
The classical Karst region, neighbouring to Italy, is known to have been barren of vegetation in the past, like a stone desert. It is believed that such situation was due to intense Karst phenomena, the bedrock being mostly Cretaceous and Tertiary limestones. Rich archaeological sites in the region yield charred plant remains proving the existince of forests in the past. So there is the possibility that man and his domesticated animals may have played an important part in the deforestation of the region. This can be proved by means of any kind of plant remains from those times, especially by fossil pollen from water sediment.
For these purposes, Holocene sediments from either continental deposits in the Karst of Slovenia or Adiatic coastal zones will be drilled and pollen analysed. In these regions the vegetation history is very poorly known compared to other European countries, and desertification process is very relevant.
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
00185 ROMA
Italy