Das Projekt "The effect of water storage variations on in-situ gravity measurements and their use for hydrology (HYGRA)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum durchgeführt. Water storage variations in the soil, groundwater, snow cover and in surface water bodies cause a gravitational effect due to mass attraction. Thus, there exists a strong interrelation between hydrology and gravity. From a hydrological perspective, the estimation of water storage and its spatio-temporal changes is essential for setting up water balances and for effective water use and management. However, direct measurements of local water storage changes are still a challenging task while time-variable gravity observations are a promising tool as an integrative measure of total water storage changes. From a geodetic perspective, the hydrological gravity effect is an interfering signal, which imposes noise on gravimetric measurements and thus has to be eliminated from the gravity records. Superconducting gravimeters (SG) enable the in situ observation of the temporal changes of the earth gravity field. These SG data contain information about polar motion, earth tides, oscillations of the earth, atmospheric pressure and hydrology. But still variations in local water masses have a significant influence on SG measurements. Hence, the question is: How does local water storage change influence the signal of SG measurements? Objective: The objective of the HYGRA project is to separate the local hydrological signal from the integral signal of the SG records. From the geodetic perspective, this will provide a tool to remove the unwanted hydrological noise in SG recordings. At the same time, the hydrological gravity signal bears the potential to estimate hydrological state variables (ground water, soil moisture). Study Area: The HYGRA project focuses the relation of local hydrology and gravity in following study areas: Geodätisches Observatorium Wettzell, Deutschland; South African Geodynamic Observatory (SAGOS). Method The investigation of the interrelation between hydrology and geodesy is done by following worksteps: 1. 4D Simulation of the influence of water storage changes on the superconducting gravimeter; 2. Measuring and modelling of the different water storages; namely groundwater, soil moisture and snow; 3. Transformation of the water storage changes to a gravimetric signal; 4. Comparison between the measured gravity change by the SG and the estimated hydrological gravity response.
Das Projekt "Hemmfaktoren fuer eine Ausweitung des biologischen Landbaus in Oesterreich" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Institut für Agrar- und Forstökonomie durchgeführt. Ziel des Projekts ist die Hebung des Informations- und Kenntnisstandes ueber die Betriebe mit der OePUL-Massnahme 'Verzicht auf bestimmte ertragssteigernde Betriebsmittel (Betrieb)'. Es geht darum zu erkunden, wo diese Betriebe lokalisiert sind, wie sie die Flaechen nutzen und welche Tiere sie halten. In einer standardisierten Befragung soll festgestellt werden, aus welchen Gruenden sie sich fuer diese OePUL-Massnahme entschieden haben und was sie an der Teilnahme an der OePUL-Massnahme 'biologische Wirtschaftsweise' hindert. In Modellrechnungen werden die oekonomischen Konsequenzen fuer diese Betriebe bei einer eventuellen Umstellung auf den biologischen Landbau aufgezeigt.
Das Projekt "Extensive Production Systems in Semi-Arid Regions - Options for Sustainable Future Livelihoods (TPP 6; NCCR North South)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Institute of Sahel durchgeführt. Extensive production systems (EPS) are effective land use systems which allow using scarce natural resources in vast rural semi-arid and highland-lowland areas in a sustainable way by various societies. However, the societal and economic role of EPS is frequently underestimated if not overlooked, particularly at national political level. Ranging from pastoralism (sedentary and mobile) to alternative land uses (e.g. agro-sylvo-pastoralism), which secure the livelihoods of millions of rural peoples; the diversity of adaptation is remarkable. Over the last decades rapid and major socio-political, economic, cultural, institutional, and ecologic changes have put heavy and unprecedented pressures on many EPS. Considering their economic and political marginalisation, innovations are needed to motivate the younger generation to reconsider the EPS areas as a promising way of life and to convince policy makers to consider EPS as a potential capable to contribute to reduce migration towards urban centres.
Though the scientific literature regarding key features, potentials, and alternative land use systems is vast, few rigorous scientific comparative investigation related to implementation processes has been conducted so far. To fill this gap, such research should (i) link sociological, ecological, and economic perspectives, (ii) follow an inter- and trans-disciplinary approach grounded in regional partnerships, and (iii) compare and capitalize experiences gained in different geographical contexts. Moreover, the current situation should be reassessed by applying modern technologies while developing and promoting simple but well standardised and adapted (impact) monitoring protocols.
The research gap identified and intended to be addressed corresponds to two major strengths of the NCCR, which are (i) a strong focus on inter- and trans-disciplinary research and learning processes, and (ii) the opportunity to compare potentials, options, and best practices in the different JACS regions. The TPP is designed to build on these strengths in order to make a genuine contribution to research on EPS. Moreover, it draws upon a systemic approach allowing tackling the complexity of the issue. Two entry points for the selection and implementation of promising alternatives and options are proposed: (i) access to social services and (ii) sustainable natural resource management. These two entry points are chosen according to the existing research priorities in the JACS WAF and CAS. This will allow extending the current achievements in the different regions by broadening the perspective towards a more comprehensive understanding of implementation, e.g. of novel land use arrangements (pastoral code, new collective institutions) or adapted social and economic services (e.g. joint animal and human vaccinations, commodity chains). (abridged text)