Das Projekt "The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Fachhochschule Köln, Institut für Technologie- und Ressourcenmanagement in den Tropen und Subtropen (ITT) durchgeführt. In order to understand the interlinked problems in the Nexus (Latin = connection, linkage, interrelation) of water, energy and food security, close cooperation between scientists and practitioners from different fields is necessary. The present and future challenge of a reliable supply with water, energy and food is an example, where isolated considerations do not lead to viable solutions. Sustainable action and meaningful research in these highly interconnected fields require a holistic and comprehensive perspective and a new approach. In this sense, a collaborative research structure with a holistic view on the Nexus of Water, Energy and Food security was established in 2013 at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. The project bundles some of the research efforts of 11 professors from different faculties and institutes. The researchers jointly work on initiating new cooperation projects with partners from industry, academia and civil society. Together they aim at exploring new technologies and applying new approaches to solve major issues of efficiency and sustainability in resource use.
Das Projekt "Impact of urbanisation on the allergenicity of birch pollen grains" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Technische Universität München, Fakultät für Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie am Biederstein durchgeführt. Evidence is compelling for a positive correlation between urbanisation and increment of allergic sensitisation and diseases. The reason for this association is not clear to date. Some data point to a pro-allergic effect of anthropogenic factors on susceptible individuals. Data analysing the impact of environmental - natural and anthropogenic - factors on the allergenicity of allergen carriers such as pollen grains are scarce, and if applicable only taken from in vitro experimental designs. This study will analyse one of the most common allergy inducers in northern Europe - the birch pollen. Under natural exposure conditions, birch pollen will be analysed with respect to their allergenicity. Within an interdisciplinary research team this study will evaluate the effect of natural (e.g. soil, climate, genetic background) and anthropogenic (e.g. traffic pollutants) factors on birch pollen in a holistic approach including analysis of allergen bioavailability, release of pollen associated lipid mediators from birch pollen grains, in vitro immunostimulatory activity and in vivo allergenic potential. These data collected in the time course of three years will significantly add to our understanding how urbanisation and climate change influence the allergenicity of birch pollen and will help us in the future to set up primary prevention studies.
Das Projekt "Pilzinfektionen auf Phytoplankton unbekannter Störfaktor für das Wachstum von Phytoplankton, sowie für Recycling- und Sedimentationsprozesse" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW), Sektion Marine Geologie durchgeführt. Pilze sind eine der am diversesten, jedoch am wenigsten untersuchten mikrobiellen Gruppen in marinen Gewässern. Eine Untergruppe der Pilze, kurz als Chytridien bekannt, umfasst häufig auftretende Parasiten auf Phytoplankton, welche eine starke Belastung für das Phytoplanktonwachstum, die Entwicklung von Algenblüten und deren Populationsdynamiken darstellen. Parasitäre Chytridien befallen alle Hauptgruppen von Phytoplankton und treten bevorzugt in Küstenregionen mit hoher Phytoplanktonbiomasse und Produktivität auf. Die Auswirkungen von parasitären Pilzen auf Stoffkreisläufe und die Funktion von Ökosystemen sind jedoch kaum bekannt bzw. quantifiziert. Die Emmy Noether-Nachwuchsgruppe wird die funktionelle und quantitative Rolle parasitärer Pilze für die Phytoplanktonproduktivität und den Stoffkreislauf in Brack- und Meerwasser untersuchen. Unsere Ziele sind (1) Betrachtung der Wechselwirkungen zwischen Phytoplankton und Chytridien auf Einzelzell-Ebene, (2) Untersuchungen der integrativen Rolle von Chytridien in aquatischen Nahrungsnetzen und (3) Aufklärung der Auswirkungen von parasitären Pilzen auf Remineralisierungs- und Sedimentationsprozesse. Unser umfassender Ansatz beinhaltet experimentelle Studien mit Phytoplanktonâ€ÌPilz Co-Kulturen sowie mit natürlichen Planktongemeinschaften, mittels Analysen auf Zell- und Mikoskalen-Ebene bis hin zu mesoskaligen Stoffflüssen entlang der Wassersäule. Im Wesentlichen werden wir den Transfer von Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff vom Phytoplankton durch das pelagische Nahrungsnetz innerhalb der photischen Zone bis hin zum Absinken als Detritus in die Tiefe verfolgen. Das Projektergebnis soll ein ganzheitliches Verständnis der Rolle von Chytridien an der Basis aquatischer Nahrungsnetze und Produktivität fördern, einschließlich der zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen und Größenordnungen. Angesichts der potenziellen Signifikanz parasitärer Pilze für die Abschwächung von Produktivität, Sinkstoffflüssen aber auch von toxischen Algenblüten in Küstengebieten, sollen die gewonnenen Daten mit lokalen und globalen Stoffkreisläufen verknüpft und in zukünftige Entscheidungen zum Küstenmanagement implementiert werden.
Das Projekt "PedoScale - Hyper-scale digital soil mapping and soil formation analysis" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Abteilung Bodenkunde und Geomorphologie durchgeführt. In pedology, soilscapes are characterised by a typical spatial and taxonomic relation between the soils, as well as by the relation between the soils and other landform and landscape characteristics. These landscape characteristics as driving forces for soil formation show local, regional and supra-regional components. It is therefore important to gather and incorporate information about the soil forming factors not only from a specific sampling point, but also from its larger spatial surroundings for reasonable descriptions of the complex soil-landscape relations. Therefore, multi- or hyper-scale approaches are required, which however, are rarely reported in literature. Moreover, most studies are lacking any interpretations and concepts for the description of soil formation, although these are most crucial for describing and understanding the complex environmental processes and interactions of landscapes and soils.The aim of this project is to develop a new hyper-scale mapping approach as well as a new theoretical concept for its pedologic interpretation. Under the overarching goal of a new spatially contextualized soil formation theory the objective of the project is to achieve more holistic descriptions of soil and environmental formation but also the optimization of spatial prediction models for estimating soil properties functions and threats. This is urgently needed in order to meet the increasing global demand for accurate and high-resolution soil information to estimate and handle the impacts of global climate change, population growth, food security, and bio energy.The framework, which will be developed, applied, tested and validated for several landscapes around the world in this project, focuses on determining the influence of local, regional and supra-regional landscape surface shape on soil formation in terms of hyper-scale digital terrain analysis and tries to reveal the interactions of relief with other environmental covariates on different spatial scales. The objectives are (i) to develop a new hyper-scale terrain analysis method, (ii) to apply, develop and/or adapt specific data analysis and data mining approaches to derive the information required for pedological interpretations and as an integrative part (iii) to develop a new theoretical framework for soil formation analysis. This will provide a) information on the specific influence of local to supra-regional parts of environmental covariates on soil formation, b) approaches to visualize the geomorphic systems interacting with other covariates and jointly influence soil formation, c) approaches to derive information on the interactions between different geomorphic features and scales, as well as d) information on the complex interactions between geomorphic and other environmental covariates at different scales to derive better knowledge about the spatial distribution as well as the genesis of one of our most important environmental resources - soil.
Das Projekt "Development of an innovative low rolling resistance truck tyre concept in combination with a full scale simulation tool box for tyre performance in function of material and road parameters" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von GOODYEAR S.A. durchgeführt. The aim of the LORRY project is to reduce trucks carbon footprint by developing an innovative low rolling Resistance tyre concept combined with a comprehensive tool box for fleet fuel saving management. This proposed concept will go beyond current state of art and stakeholder or market expectations regarding tyre rolling resistance, mileage, driving safety, driving performance and material and manufacturing sustainability. Steer and trailer tyres developed in the framework of the project will demonstrate a minimum 20Prozent gain in truck tyre rolling resistance. Truck tyre wear and wet safety performance levels will be improved additionally. To reach this objective, a multidisciplinary consortium (7 public / 4 private partners) has been created covering the fields of tyre technology, rubber and filler technology, nanotechnologies, composite physics, sensory, transport and road infrastructure. A complete set of complementary scientific evaluation methods will enable the understanding of interactions between new tread pattern design and new material composites as well as the tyre performance dependency on tyre-vehicle Operation and road conditions. LORRY consists in a holistic approach for an intelligent surface transport system. New tyre and truck fleet operating concepts resulting from the programmed will go beyond European Green Car Initiative roadmap expectations for 2015 and smoothly bridge and feed next coming tailored trucks and sustainable trucks initiatives, forecasted respectively for 2020 and 2025.
Das Projekt "The sustainable freight railway: Designing the freight vehicle track system for higher delivered tonnage with improved availability at reduced cost (SUSTRAIL)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Consorzio Per La Ricerca e lo Sviluppo di Tecnologie Per il Trasporto Innovativo durchgeführt. A sustainable and efficient freight transport in Europe plays a vital role in having a successful and competitive economy. Freight transport is expected to grow by some 50 % (in tonne-kilometres) by 2020. However rail has, in many areas, been displaced from a dominant position as road transport services have grown and developed in capability and levels of sophistication that have not been matched by rail service providers. SUSTRAIL aims to contribute to the rail freight system to allow it to regain position and market and the proposed solution is based on a combined improvement in both freight vehicle and track components in a holistic approach aimed at achieving a higher reliability and increased performance of the rail freight system as a whole and profitability for all the stakeholders. The SUSTRAIL integrated approach is based on innovations in rolling stock and freight vehicles (with a targeted increased in speed and axle-load) combined with innovations in the track components (for higher reliability and reduced maintenance), whose benefits to freight and passenger users (since mixed routes are considered) are quantified through the development of an appropriate business case with estimation of cost savings on a life cycle basis. In fact, a holistic approach to vehicle and track sustainability has to be taken, since improvements in track design and materials alone are not enough as demands on the rail system increase. Contributions from the different topic areas (vehicles, track, operations) will be demonstrated on real routes, offering geographic dispersion as well as differences in type, speed, and frequency of traffic. A strong multidisciplinary consortium committed to concrete actions aligned toward a common outcome has been grouped for the achievement of the challenging objectives of the project with a balanced combination of Infrastructure managers, freight operators and Industry, including Large and Small enterprises, with support from Academia.
Das Projekt "Wood2Chem: a computer aided platform to support the optimal implementation of wood-based bio refinery concepts" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Institut de Thermique, Laboratoire d'Energetique Industrielle durchgeführt. Wood2CHem: A computer-aided platform for developing bio-refinery concepts The bio-refinery concept offers the timber industry numerous development opportunities by integrating the production of value-added products made from biomass. The computer-aided platform Wood2CHem, developed within the scope of this project, will help to devise innovative means for promoting wood as a resource using a holistic and integrated approach. Background Due to its composition and complex chemical structure, wood can be used to make a large number of value-added products. The bio-refinery concept proposes to widen the range of products derived from wood while adopting a systemic approach aimed at promoting synergies in the production of various products by integrating different processes. It therefore offers an enormous development potential for the wood sector and opens up many new markets. The development of bio-refinery concepts poses a significant challenge. A large number of processes that integrate studies and technologies of innovative transformation need to be evaluated, integrated and optimised using a holistic approach before the most promising concepts can be identified. Aim By applying techniques from process engineering, energy integration and multi-objective optimisation, the consortium of the Wood2CHem project proposes to develop a computer-aided platform for systematically generating the most promising bio-refinery models and evaluating their thermodynamic, economic and environmental performance. This integrated platform will be developed by combining expertise in chemical engineering and process engineering. It is aimed at integrating technological developments of wood transformation and will be validated in industrial case studies. Significance The Wood2CHem project concerns the development of industrial concepts and will therefore primarily interest experts and engineers in the field who wish to develop integrated and innovative concepts for a rational promotion of wood. It will allow them to envisage and compare inegrated process chains. The platform will integrate all the actors wishing to assume the perspective of industrial ecology.
Das Projekt "Timber plantations in Paraguay: Comparative assessment of influencing factors on tree growing initiatives and further contribution to income generation" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Technische Universität Dresden, Fachrichtung Forstwissenschaften, Institut für Internationale Forst- und Holzwirtschaft, Professur für Tropische und Internationale Forstwirtschaft durchgeführt. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES General: The research aims o identify and provide a better understanding of the socioeconomic factors (internal & external) influencing timber plantation establishment and development in Eastern Paraguay and the further contribution to income generation. It will analyze some of the forces driving plantation establishment and their impacts since the establishment of the Forest Law in 1972. Specific objectives: 1. To document and analyze the changes and general development of timber plantation establishment in Eastern Paraguay. 2. To apply a holistic framework on timber plantation development over an almost forty year period (1973 - 2012) and analyze its potential future development. 3. To study and analyze the socioeconomic factors influencing timber plantations establishment and determine how these factors interact among them. 4. To analyze the profit-making potential of timber plantations considering different landholdings sizes: large, medium and small scales. 5. To develop top guidelines to enhance timber plantation development in the country. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1. What are the main socioeconomic factors that influence timber plantation establishment in Eastern Paraguay? - To what extent these socioeconomic factors interrelate each other to push timber plantation development? - What are the factors that influence directly in farmers decision making toward tree planting investment? - Will the reforested areas be maintained in the long term? - What enabling factors are required to sustain the efforts? 2. What is the potential contribution of timber plantations to farmers income generation? - Can timber plantations be considered as potential contributor to household income? 3. Among selected cases - What were the most promising approaches? - Which elements of these projects can be replicated (at low cost by local institutions and actors)? - Which ones are self-sustaining at the local level? PRELIMINARY RESULTS Forest resources are essential for Paraguayan rural economy for subsistence and household income. Nevertheless, their contribution is generally underestimated. Countrys high deforestation rates and insufficient efforts to promote sustainable forest management affected the supply of wood for small scale farms. The research examines socioeconomic factors linked to tree planting efforts by small holders in Eastern Paraguay, their contribution to household income and the role they play in reducing the pressure on natural forest. Different tree planting schemes were approached as case studies and participatory tools and semistructured interviews were applied. Results show that influential determinants for tree planting are involvement in social organizations and long term technical and managerial support. Managing planted trees at small scale farms requires little financial support and low labor than traditional farm cash crops and have remarkable potential to support income generation. usw.
Das Projekt "Holistic and sustainable abatement of noise by optimized combinations of natural and artificial means (HOSANNA)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Müller-BBM Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung durchgeführt. Objective: Noise pollution is a major environmental problem within the EU. The social costs of traffic noise have been estimated to 0.4Prozent of total GDP. Road traffic is the dominant source, and also rail traffic noise is significant. At the same time, road and rail traffic are expected to steadily increase, and the source strength is not expected to significantly decrease within the near future. To reduce the outdoor traffic noise to a sufficiently low level for a good acoustic environment is a major challenge of high need. Here, we will focus on noise propagation abatement for the outdoor environment. Following the EU Directive on environmental noise, a series of major action have been taken in noise abatement, but the sustainability has rarely been paid attention. The main idea of our project is to optimize the use of green areas, green surfaces and other natural elements in combination with artificial elements in urban and rural environments for reducing the noise impact of road and rail traffic. The project offers a variety of powerful abatement strategies that will make a cost effective improvement by its combination of approaches concerning: ground and road surface treatments; trees, forests and tall vegetation; greening of buildings and other surfaces; and innovative barriers. The noise impact will be assessed in terms of sound levels (including spectra and time patterns) as well as perceived environment (including annoyance, well-being and other health related aspects). The main objectives of the project are: to show by full scale evaluation that the proposed abatement methods work; to deliver noise prediction methods applicable to the proposed abatements, which can also can be used in noise mapping software; to deliver assessment methods for the perceived noise environment; to deliver a good practice guide for the end-users; and to show the cost benefit, including the positive effect on urban air quality and CO2 neutrality, of the resulting noise abatement methods. Prime Contractor: Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola AB; Goeteborg; Sverige (Schweden).
Das Projekt "Supporting EU's Freight Transport Logistics Action Plan on Green Corridors Issues (SUPERGREEN)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von National Technical University of Athens durchgeführt. The purpose of SuperGreen is to promote the development of European freight logistics in an environmentally friendly manner. Environmental factors play an increasing role in all transport modes, and holistic approaches are needed to identify win-win solutions. SuperGreen will evaluate a series of green corridors covering some representative regions and main transport routes throughout Europe. The selected corridors will be benchmarked based on parameters and key performance indicators covering all aspects related to transport operations and infrastructure. Environmental issues and emissions, external-, infrastructure- and internal costs will be covered to get an overall and realistic picture. Based on this benchmarking, areas and candidates for improvement will be identified (i.e. bottlenecks). The next step will be to evaluate how green technologies may support improving the identified bottlenecks. Among the green technologies considered may be novel propulsion systems, alternative fuels, cargo handling technologies, new terminal technologies or novel concepts relevant for the multimodal green corridors. The benchmarking issue is an iterative process. Next, a similar process needs to be accomplished taking into consideration smarter utilisation of available information in the multimodal chain (ICT-flows). An analysis will be made on how this information can be utilised to achieve greener logistics along the green corridors (e.g. e-freight, Supply Chain Management (SCM), smarter planning, scheduling and tracking & tracing). Based on these iterative benchmarks and evaluations, new R&D within specific topics may be needed to improve the identified bottlenecks. Recommendations for future calls for R&D proposals will be made. Last but not least, the project will review and assess the implications of alternative policy measures for green corridors, both at the local and the European level. Prime Contractor: National Technical University of Athens; Zografou; Hellas.
| Origin | Count |
|---|---|
| Bund | 24 |
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Förderprogramm | 24 |
| License | Count |
|---|---|
| offen | 24 |
| Language | Count |
|---|---|
| Deutsch | 4 |
| Englisch | 24 |
| Resource type | Count |
|---|---|
| Keine | 21 |
| Webseite | 3 |
| Topic | Count |
|---|---|
| Boden | 22 |
| Lebewesen & Lebensräume | 24 |
| Luft | 15 |
| Mensch & Umwelt | 24 |
| Wasser | 16 |
| Weitere | 24 |