Objective
The overall goal of Project 3 is to develop a set of regional indicators which provide a planning tool for application to desertification at regional, national and European scales. This will be achieved through a set of four closely linked modules which are integrated into the overall structure of the MEDALUS III project.
In Project 3, the target areas identified within MEDALUS are used to identify Environmentally
Sensitive Areas (ESAs) through regional indicators, and develop a broad scale methodology,
relying principally on Remote Sensing but also making use of other regional data as and where
available, to identify and prioritise degradation risks on a pan-European scale. There are strong
cross-links with other MEDALUS projects, particularly in defining target areas (Project 1) and
ESAs (Project 2).
The first module develops the physical scientific basis for the regional indicators proposed. A
one-dimensional model for hydrology, vegetation (cropped and uncropped, including the effects
of grazing) and soil erosion is being developed for interpreting regional data and extending it in
a forecasting framework for the coming decades. Development of existing research on remotely
sensed images will provide data on regional scale changes in vegetation and land use to provide
a relevant time series for model calibration. Comparable regional data on climatic time series
will be provided by from METEOSAT data. These three components provide the core
methodology for implementation of the model as a forecasting tool.
The development of regional economic and social approaches to desertification (module 2) is
much less well advanced in MEDALUS than the physical modelling, and relies crucially on
socio-economic data collected and provided by the Project 2 groups. The core of module 2 lies
in innovative modelling, involving the use of neural networks and other methods, using
supercomputers to annualise the large data sets available and provide dynamic forecasts which
explicitly link the socio-economic impacts to the physical indicators developed in module 1.
Modules 3 and 4 are both concerned with generating climatic scenarios, derived from analysis
and projection from archive data and from GCM forecasts. They provide the climatic basis for
applying the models developed in modules 1 and 2 into forecasts for the next century of
prospective global climate change. Together, therefore, the component modules of Project 3 will
provide an important planning tool. with the capacity to assess the most probable directions of
change, the assumed scenarios on which these forecasts are made, and the uncertainties
surrounding them.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences hydrology
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- engineering and technology environmental engineering remote sensing
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
LEEDS
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.