Integrated Monitoring System for Desertification Risk Assessment
The project MOONRISES aims at the creation of an Integrated System for Monitoring and assessment of Desertification Risks, by the use of fieldwork, models, and sensitivity indicators and by the use of modern technologies as Geographic Information Systems, Satellite Remote Sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS). The main objective of the project is the recording, monitoring and prediction of desertification risks in Regions of Pelopennese, North and South Aegean, Central Macedonia and Basilicata, regions that suffer the consequences of desertification and devalorisation of natural resources. Although desertification and land degradation is present since centuries in the Mediterranean countries, the interest for this phenomenon and the relevant alarm levels have recently been upgraded. This is due to the increased public sensitization for environmental issues and the increased pressures on soil resources. In order to study the phenomenon of desertification, various aspects should be examined, as the increase of soil erosion, the reduce of vegetation cover etc. The Project’s Model development will be facilitated by the creation of spatial, thematic Databases. By analyzing these data and building expert tools/ models the project aims at creating an infrastructure for the realization of water runoffs and soil erosion in the survey areas. The addressed problem concerns desertification, which causes degradation in the Mediterranean region, and results to shrinks in the vegetation, soil acidification and salinization, disintegration of the organic matter, weathering of minerals, etc. The objective of the project is to classify the survey areas on the basis of existing and potential desertification threats and to develop tools & models that will help the monitoring, assessment and prediction of such threats, through the following activities: • Recording and classification of desertification risks • Study of biophysical indicators • Development of thematic spatial data bases • Use of modern technologies such as GIS, satellite remote sensing, GPS, and Decision Support Systems in order to monitor and predict desertification risks • Management, financial monitoring and administration as well as publicity and knowledge dissemination actions.