Aerobiological territorial mediterranean-oriental systemic network
The main goal of the ATMOSnet project is to improve and support the forecasting of draughts and desertification due to climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean area by transnational cooperation in monitoring and elaboration of pollen concentration in five municipalities and universities in Greece, Malta and South Italy. Southern European areas are predicted to become much drier with facing the risk of draughts and desertification. This might have significant consequences far agriculture, forestry, water supplies and tourism. Monitoring climate change can contribute to a further understanding of the phenomena and its impacts and serves as a basis far decision-makers far mitigation or adaptation measures. Monitoring the concentration of pollens in the atmosphere is a valid bio indicator far studying effects of draughts and desertification due to climate change. In general the increase of temperature which characterized the recent years has determined the modification on the timing of flowering in many herbaceous and arboreal plants. Many scientific works reported the relationships between the climatic changes and the pollen release in the atmosphere. In general in whole Continental Europe, as in the world, these phenological changes have been proved by airborne pollen monitoring: as examples in the United Kingdom (J.Embertin, et al., 2002), in The Netherlands (A.J.H. Van Vliet et al. 2002) in Austria (S.Jager et al. 1996) and in Italy (G. Frenguelli et al. 2002.) If monitored over time pollen concentration delivers detailed information on draughts and desertification in the monitored area. The change in pollen concentration of an important plant for the specific area over time makes it possible to predict the further distribution of the plant (reduction, extinction, overpopulation). Therefore risk analysis on the future development of the surrounding ecosystems are possible, e.g. Mediterranean "macchia", vegetation of dunes or wetlands, as well as extrapolations for areas with similar geographical, climate and soil conditions.