MODULE 7: REGIONAL SCALE STUDIES ON LESVOS
Module Leader: Kosmas (Agricultural University of Athens)
Synthesis of desertification problems at the regional scale
Topic 7.1 Land degradation and desertification (Kosmas, Agricultural University of Athens)
To study the effect of land parameters, land-use and climatic variability on land degradation and desertification by using ground surveying, remote sensing imagery and GIS techniques. To define ESAs based on different sets of attributes and criteria relevant to desertification obtained from this work and from studies conducted in the Lesvos Module or other Modules. To evaluate the effects of global change on water resources and to propose actions to alleviate the problem. To provide information to the Regional Indicators project for defining regional indicators of desertification and to supply data for implementation and validation of the MEDRUSH model.
Topic 7.2 Impacts of habitat fragmentation on land degradation and biodiversity (Diamantopoulos, Aristotelian University, Athens)
To study the principal ecological parameters and abiotic factors in fragmented vegetation cover. To experimental study the competition between two dominant evergreen species. To investigate the spatial relations in a Mediterranean landscape with fragmented vegetation cover.
Topic 7.3 Indicators for environmental disturbance and land degradation (Imeson, University of Amsterdam)
To apply the findings of research on soil-water-vegetation dynamics to develop bio-physical indicators of desertification, that can be used to identify ESAs. To determine the relevant soil surface characteristics (process-pattern structures) on the major landscape units that are, at a fine scale, responsible for coarser (slope) scale water availability. Using knowledge of process-pattern relationships, to develop and test indicators that can be use to characterise a) current desertification status, b)desertification risk under different model scenarios and c) management requirements. To incorporate this work at different scales into Lesvos regional study as part of the programme for identifying environmentally sensitive areas.
Topic 7.4 Soil erosion patterns on different geomorphological units (Poesen, University of Leuven)
To better understand and predict the various soil erosion processes and related factors contributing to desertification on Lesvos. To develop strategies for soil and water conservation in different geomorphological units threatened by soil erosion on Lesvos.
Specific actions to mitigate desertification
Topic 7.5 Soil-vegetation interactions (Kosmas, Agricultural University of Athens)
To study the soil-vegetation interactions and their impact on land degradation and desertification in representative sites in Lesvos. To evaluate the effect of different vegetation species on soil protection from erosion and to develop strategies towards land protection. To provide data on important land parameters that might be considered as physical key indicators of desertification to the Regional Indicators project.
Comparative study of all Target Areas
Topic 7.6 Comparative analysis of Target Areas (Kosmas, Agricultural University of Athens)
To geographically compare the four target areas: Alentejo, Guadalentín-Segura, Agri and Lesvos in terms of their physical environments, their historical development, the contemporary economic activity and resource, and the extent and character of desertification. To compare the likely impacts resulting from a specific set of physical, economic, social changes at a series of scale ranging from global to local and to compare these with the Mediterranean Action Plan projections. To compare the impacts, if any, of EU policy on factors influencing desertification the regional level. To evaluate from this the range of potentials impacts of future policy decisions in relation to desertification.
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