Objective * Standardisation of field and laboratory methodology;* Testing of the applicability of existing Productivity-Index (PI)-models for Central America;* Improvement of selected modelling relationships between soil loss and soil functions based on process orientated factors;* Development of an extended soil PI-model with special reference to application for countries of Central America;* Testing and modification of the European Soil Erosion Model (EUROSEM) for tropical environments;* Application of the extended PI-model for selected watersheds;* Linkage of EUROSEM to the extended PI-model to produce a physically-based approach to modelling erosion-soil productivity relationships;* Application of the SPIES-model on catchment scale in Central America using GIS;* Simulation of change of distributed soil sustainability through application of a soil erosion model (European Soil Erosion Model) and the extended PI-model using different scenarios of management exemplary in Costa Rica.Expected Outcome* A standardised methodological handbook for collection of PI-data.* Selection of an applicable PI-model for Central America and its adaptation for Central American production conditions.* Evaluation of the suitability of other models for further development.* Production of an extended PI-model for Central America.* Application of EUROSEM for tropical environments.* Validation of the extended PI-model on watershed scale.* Linkage of EUROSEM to the extended PI-model ==> SPIES-model.* Application of SPIES at larger scale by GIS and development of maps for different scenarios.* Estimation of productivity risks exemplary for Costa RICA using GIS (animation techniques).* Develop a methodology to estimate the relationship between soil erosion and soil productivity for Central American conditions. Based on this knowledge, an extended Productivity-Index-model will be linked to the European Soil Erosion Model (EUROSEM), which first will be validated under conditions of Central America.* Once established, the combination of the extended Productivity-Index-model - EUROSEM (SPIES) will serve as tool to predict sustainability of agricultural landuse using different environmental scenarios.* To provide useful tools for decision makers, SPIES, combined with a GIS will be applied on catchment scale. The results of this approach will also be supported by the development of maps and animation techniques, in order to assess the time horizon, in which a current land use can be performed at a certain productivity level.* The activities during the 3 years project will be coordinated through several workshops and field trips in each of the participant countries. Personnel exchange with diploma and doctorate theses will be performed. Fields of science social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivitynatural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologydrainage basins Programme(s) FP4-INCO - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of cooperation with third countries and international organizations, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 03010102 - Basic natural resources Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN EU contribution No data Address 33,Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33 1180 WIEN Austria See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Cranfield University United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Silsoe Campus Wharley End MK45 4DT Cranfield See on map Total cost No data FUNDACION DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE COSTA RICA PARA LA INVESTIGACION Costa Rica EU contribution No data Address Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio 2060 SAN PEDRO See on map Total cost No data Universidad Autonoma Chapingo Mexico EU contribution No data Address 56230 Chapingo See on map Total cost No data Universidad Nacional Agraria Nicaragua EU contribution No data Address KM 12,Carretera Norte KM 12 Managua See on map Total cost No data Universität für Bodenkultur Wien Austria EU contribution No data Address 82,Peter Jordan-Straße 82 1190 Wien See on map Total cost No data
