Objective
The objective is to use an integration of ecological models and information from operationnal earth observation and meteorological satellites to assess and monitor regional scale indicators of sensitivity to desertification.
Based on the work on three study sites: Languedoc (France), Valencia Province (Spain), and
Crete Island (Greece) conceptual and methodological pathways for deriving coherent
indicators of vegetation abundance and the erosional state of soils from remotely sensed
imagery (reflective and thermal domains) will be optimised, including methodological
refinements which permit to use this approach within a larger variety of climatic conditions
throughout the Mediterranean (i.e. regionalised data interpretation concepts, GIS-based
integration of ancillary information layers such as bedrock lithology, and digital elevation
data, the completion of spectral library information on vegetation and exposed soil and rock
surfaces, and the combined analysis of satellite measurements in the reflective and thermal
domain).
The project further attempts to define the conceptual requirements needed for designing an
operational 'Satellite-based Desertification Observatory' for the Mediterranean basin,
including the validation of the methods and processing modules needed for its implementation
in the context of three retrospective case studies.
Ecosystem dynamics and biochemistry models have become a popular means to examine the
ecological consequences of historic and future climatic changes. By simulating the seasonal
and multi-annual course of ecosystem functional processes (mainly carbon and water cycling)
from local to regional level the project attempts to gain deeper understanding of biophysical
processes which may be responsible for soil/vegetation changes recorded from the
retrospective satellite monitoring during the 1975-1995 period, and to predict likely future
changes, especially in most sensible areas.
The development of an approach for future projections of desertification, particularly with
respect to the risk of soil erosion and further degradation of vegetation communities
(Desertification Susceptibility Index) is an essential part of the project activities. In particular
the incorporation of 'degradation trends' (based on retrospective analysis of RS-derived
vegetation and soil characteristics), terrain parameters (from digital elevation data), such as
slope and exposition in terms of water availability and erosion susceptibility (model outputs),
appear particularly attractive for predicting the future development of desertification and
erosion at regional scales
The project is completed by a case study on the sustainable management of rangelands in
mountain ecosystems which attempts to integrate findings from the modules mentioned above.
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 geology lithology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences soil sciences soil management
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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
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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
54286 Trier
Germany
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.