Das Projekt "Central Project" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie durchgeführt. *This project will establish the research facility infrastructure and experimental plots as basis for the work of all projects. The coordination project will be responsible for the overall plot management. The scientific coordinator will not only supervise the technical staff, but participate in research with studying the flora of invading plant species and with investigation on the effect of competition on 48 cultivars of Lolium perenne. The coordination project will also be responsible for data management and statistical support. The data manager will share research by studying the development of plot patterns as they evolve over time in the experimental plots.
Das Projekt "Sustainable Holistic Approaches and Know-how Tailored to India (SHAKTI)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Karlsruhe, Geologisches Institut, Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Geologie durchgeführt. Das Projekt Sustainable Holistic Approaches and Know-how Tailored to India (SHAKTI) wird im Rahmen des BMBF Förderprogramms Global Change - Forschungs für die nachhaltige Entwicklung der Megastädte von Morgen unterstützt und von einem Indisch-Deutschen Konsortium bearbeitet. Neben den Koordinatoren - European Institute for Energy Research (EIfER) und Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) - beteiligen sich zahlreiche deutsche und indische Forschungsinstitute, NGOs, lokale und regionale Verwaltungseinrichtungen, öffentliche und private Versorgungsunternehmen. SHAKTI fokussiert auf die Stadt Hyderabad, die Hauptstadt der Provinz Andhra Pradesh im Südosten Indiens gelegen. Hohen Wachstumsraten, vor allem im Bereich neuer Technologien, die sich in der Peripherie ansiedeln (Cyberabad) steht ein muslimisch geprägter Altstadtkern mit zunehmender Bevölkerungsverdichtung und mangelhafter Infrastruktur entgegen. Diese Situation bildet den Spannungsbogen, der bei der künftigen Entwicklung zu berücksichtigen ist. Auf der Basis von bereits existierenden Zielsetzungen sollen in der Stadt Hyderabad gemeinsam mit den lokalen Partnern Entwicklungsperspektiven und Problemlösungsstrategien erarbeitet werden. Darauf aufbauend werden integrierte Projekte für die Umsetzungsphase initiiert, die sowohl kurzfristigen Herausforderungen begegnen als auch mittel- und langfristige Anforderungen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung berücksichtigen. Die Definition und Priorisierung der Problembereiche erfolgt überwiegend vor dem Hintergrund der Vor-Ort-Kenntnisse der indischen Partner, während Strategien und konkrete Projekte durch gemeinsame Lern- und Kommunikationsprozesse entwickelt werden. In SHAKTI wurden drei strategische Ziele definiert: Nachhaltige Konzepte und Strategien im Umgang mit schnellem Wachstum, Nachhaltige Modernisierung und Anpassung der städtischen technischen Infrastrukturen (Wasser, Abwasser, Energie, Verkehr), Anpassungsfähige und integrierte Lern- und Planungsprozesse unter Einbeziehung relevanter Interessenvertreter. Die konkreten Aufgaben der Angewandten Geologie Karlsruhe sind dabei: Task 1.1 Background study on urban water resources with special attention to groundwater related problems in the Hyderabad administrative area. Task 1.2 Report on alternative water management strategies available for Hyderabad. Task 1.3. Implementation plan for research & demonstration activities in the second project stage. Task 1.4. Input for WP 7 Monitoring & Evaluation.
Das Projekt "Workshop: Conservation Study of Settlement Areas along the banks of Ciliwung and Cipinang River" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Karlsruhe (TH), Institut Entwerfen von Stadt und Landschaft, Lehrstuhl für Stadtquartiersplanung und Entwerfen durchgeführt. Als Ziel des Workshops galt es, nachhaltige Konzepte für informelle Siedlungen entlang der Flüsse Ciliwung und Cipinang zu entwickeln, mit besonderem Schwerpunkt auf dem Hochwasserschutz. Die Zusammenarbeit deutscher und indonesischer Lehrbeauftragter und Studenten war Kern des Workshops. Der Workshop ist Teil des Programms der 'Fachbezogenen Partnerschaft mit Hochschulen in Entwicklungsländern. Er fand während eines Arbeitsbesuches Karlsruher Professoren, wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter und Studenten statt. Beteiligt waren neben 35 Studenten der UKI vier Studenten aus Karlsruhe.
Das Projekt "Improving the Livelihood of the Rural Population through the Production of Bushmeat in Ghana" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Hamburg, Arbeitsbereich für Weltforstwirtschaft und Institut für Weltforstwirtschaft des Friedrich-Löffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit durchgeführt. Background: Ghanas transition forests, neighbouring savannahs and timber plantations in the Ashanti region face a constant degradation due to the increased occurrence of fires. In most cases the fires are deliberately set by rural people for hunting purposes. Main target is a cane rat, here called grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), whose bushmeat is highly esteemed throughout the country. The animal is a wild herbivorous rodent of subhumid areas in Africa south of the Sahara. The grasscutter meat is an important source of animal protein. Existing high-value timber plantations (mainly Teak, Tectona grandis) are affected by fires for hunting purposes. Thus resulting in growth reduction, loss of biomass or even complete destruction of the forest stands. It became obvious that solutions had to be sought for the reduction of the fire risk. Objectives: Since 2004 the Institute for World Forestry of the Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products, Hamburg, Germany is cooperating with a Ghanaian timber plantation company (DuPaul Wood Treatment Ltd.) the German Foundation for Forest Conservation in Africa (Stiftung Walderhaltung in Afrika) and the Center for International Migration with the purpose to improve the livelihood of the rural population in the surroundings of the forest plantation sites and simultaneously to safeguard and improve the timber plantations. The introduction of grasscutter rearing systems to local farmers accompanied by permanent agricultural and agroforestry practices appeared to be a promising approach for the prevention of fires in the susceptible areas. Additionally a functioning grasscutter breeding system could contribute to the improvement of food security, development of income sources and the alleviation of poverty. The following measures are implemented: - Identification of farmers interested in grasscutter captive breeding, - Implementation of training courses for farmers on grasscutter rearing, - Delivery of breeding animals, - Supervision of rearing conditions by project staff, - Development of a local extension service for monitoring activities, - Evaluation of structures for grasscutter meat marketing. Results: After identification of key persons for animal rearing training courses were successfully passed and animals were delivered subsequently. Further investigations will evaluate the effects of the grasscutter rearing in the project region. This will be assessed through the - Acceptance of grasscutter rearing by farmers, - Success of the animal caging, - Reproduction rate, - Meat quality, - Marketing success of meat, - Reduction of fire in the vicinity of the timber plantations, - Improvement of peoples livelihood.
Das Projekt "Global Observation for Forest and Land Cover Dynamics" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Jena, Institut für Geographie, Abteilung Geoinformatik und Fernerkundung durchgeführt. The role of GOFC GOLD is to establish the link between space agencies, science community and the users of earth observation data and data products. The primary function of the Land Cover Implementation Team (LC-IT) is to develop and evaluate methods, tools and products for land cover measurements and monitoring using space-borne and in-situ observations. The LC-IT assesses current needs and deficiencies for global and regional monitoring to support Global Change research, national and regional forest inventories and international policy. The team cooperates closely with other GOFC-GOLD implementation teams and regional networks worldwide. Within this framework, the ESA GOFC GOLD project office helps to strengthen the GOFC-GOLD framework, to coordinate, promote and fulfil the GOFC Land Cover implementation plan, and to support the European Space Agency and related projects and services. Specific objectives for the first period (2004-2006) are: (1) To establish a GOFC-GOLD LC PO at the Jena University including the necessary infrastructure required to operate the LC PO. (2) To staff and operate the GOFC-GOLD LC PO for a period of three consecutive years starting February 2004. (3) Management and coordination of the execution of the GOFC-GOLD Land Cover Implementation Plan in close cooperation with the GOFC-GOLD-chairs John Townshend and Alan Belward. (4) To support ESA in the coordination of land cover harmonization and validation activities focussed on the development of a user information service for the (4.1) reporting and exchange of validation results and (4.2) information relating to the operational activities of satellite platforms and data delivery (GLOBCARBON and GLOBCOVER projects). To provide ESA with appropriate progress and annual reports and attend regular review meetings at ESA ESRIN, Italy.
Das Projekt "JM-Biotec - Establish a new joint master degree in biotechnology applied to agri-science, environment and pharmacology" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Oldenburg, Fakultät II, Abteilung Wirtschaftsinformatik I , VLBA durchgeführt. In spite of rapid development in all area of applied biotechnology all over the world, Egyptian universities and scientific institution somehow are still behind. Biotechnology provides a library of advanced scientific tools in all sectors of human activities including drug development, biomedicine, plant improvement and bio-pesticides, so biotechnology is expected to contribute massively in global economy. In our project we will develop strong educational Joint master degree in different area of biotechnology (JM-Biotech), based on Bologna system that will contributing to the reform of Egyptian higher education system. The project will ensure the ability of Egyptian universities partners to offer the new degree based on successful course materials, teaching methods, advanced equipped labs and well trained faculty staff with strong support of EU partners' expertise and experience. Our wider objective is to establish a new joint Master degree in biotechnology applied to agri- science, environment and pharmacology, this 3 areas are closely related to each other on academic and industrial level the robust developed curriculum will create a new generation of young Egyptian graduates and scientists with new skills and visions, contributing in solving many existing problems in industry in different areas using the most advanced biotechnology methods which help in solving employability problem and some economic issues in Egypt. Our specific objectives are: 1. Establishing a new joint master degree in selected areas of biotechnology based on development of 12 elective courses in selected area of Biotechnology) and update 8 available ones. 2. Support the developed curriculum with new teaching skills and methods by training. 3. Improving EG partners' laboratories by new advanced Biotech equipment and tools. 4. Establish biotechnology center in each EG partners to guarantee project dissemination and sustainability.
Das Projekt "Central Coordination and Administration of the INUIT research unit" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Institut für Atmosphäre und Umwelt durchgeführt. Funds for the central coordination of the research unit 'INUIT' (Ice Nucleation research UnIT) are requested within this proposal. The project serves the coordination and administration of the research unit as well as the promotion of cooperation and communication among the individual scientific projects of the unit. An annual status seminar is organized and conducted within this project. The funds for measures to promote gender equality are managed and measures for training of young researchers are coordinated. Within the project special sessions at international conferences or publication of special issues are initiated. A central data base to store and provide the data from all the various field and laboratory activities to all members of the research unit is maintained within the project. A comprehensive inter-comparison of the results of the ice nucleating properties of the common set of test aerosols studied by the various methods is conducted. An INUIT web page is set up and maintained. To support the INUIT spokesperson in conducting these tasks, staffing for a halftime position of a scientific administrator is applied for.
Das Projekt "Vergleich konventioneller Verbundsteuerung von Regenüberlaufbecken mit einer Steuerung auf der Basis von Fuzzy-Logic" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fachgebiet Siedlungswasserwirtschaft durchgeführt. Intention of the study is to compare conventional systems for flow control in combined sewer systems with control systems based on fuzzy logic. The objective of both control strategies is to reduce the combined sewer overflow volume by an optimization of the utilized storage capacities of combined sewer overflow tanks. Conventional real time control of flow in urban drainage systems based on rules is in common use. The Effluent of combined overflow basins, for example, can be adjusted as a function of the water level in the storage tank. Additionally, the hydraulic conditions at other significant points in a sewer system or at the waste water treatment plant can be considered. Therefore, control systems are based on a large number of rules. Instead of conventional control systems it is possible to use control strategies based on fuzzy logic. Fuzzy control combines the simple rules of an expert system with a flexible specification of output parameters. Especially for the control of complex sewer systems, demanding an extensive matrix of different rules, it can be favourable to use fuzzy control. Fuzzy control enables to integrate available operating experiences in an intelligible rule base and avoids abrupt changes of the controlled parameters. In waste water treatment fuzzy control was successfully implemented to improve treatment processes during operation. The possibility to integrate operating experiences of technical staff into the rule base of a fuzzy controller and the flexible reaction of fuzzy logic on dif-ferent combinations of input parameters, led to positive results. So far, fuzzy control has only rarely been used for flow control in sewer systems. ITWH Hannover tested the application of fuzzy control for two differently structured combined sewer systems in order to minimize the storm water overflow volume. The comparison of the studies were solely based on the simulation of uncontrolled and fuzzy - controlled sewer systems for single storm events. In both cases the overflow volume could be re-duced significantly by the use of fuzzy control. The interest of the studies was focused on the initial state in comparison with the state affected by fuzzy control. The objective of the investigation reported here, has been the comparison of a conventional rule based flow control with a fuzzy based flow control. In spite of a similar rule base fuzzy control obviously enables a more flexible sizing of the outflow. The use of fuzzy logic to control several basins in a complex sewer systems helps to avoid sudden and intense changes of the controlled effluents. This leads to steady and proportionate conditions and reduces the overflow volume. In the combined sewer system investigated, a conventional rule based and a fuzzy logic system is generated to control three combined sewer overflow tanks. The control process intends a better utilization of storage capacity to reduce overflow volume
Die Regionaldatenbank Deutschland wird gemeinsam von Bund und Ländern betrieben. Sie enthält regional tief gegliederte Jahresergebnisse der amtlichen Statistik. Die regionale Gliederung reicht bis zu den Gemeinden.
Das Projekt "Climate Change Mitigation and Poverty Reduction (CliMiP) - Trade-Offs or Win-Win Situations?" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien durchgeführt. Research Questions: Does the implementation of climate change mitigation policies in developing countries always involve a trade-off between economic development, poverty reduction, and climate protection, or is there space for 'win-win policies'? This question is relevant for todays fast-growing middle-income economies, which are already or will soon become very significant contributors to global warming. The project will analyse these economies from three different angles: a comparative politics perspective on domestic climate governance and mitigation policy options, an economics perspective on the poverty and distributional impact of mitigation policies, and an international relations perspective on the global discourse surrounding mitigation and economic development (see project in RP 4). The project staff will cooperate closely with domestic partner institutions in South Africa, Mexico and Thailand, the three case study countries. Contribution to International Research: Despite the increasing role of todays developing world in GHG emissions, 'climate and development' research to date has largely focused on developing countries vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, and on climate-related transfers in these countries, such as those of the Joint Implementation and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Meanwhile, the critical issue of mitigation is slowly making its entrance into climate negotiation rooms. This focus on mitigation requires a shift in the analytical perspective. While the technological and natural science perspectives that tend to dominate the climate change discourse are clearly important, a social science perspective is warranted as well. This is particularly true because of the latters usefulness in analysing the possible trade-offs between mitigation and socio-economic development. Research Design and Methods: The project adopts a multidisciplinary social science approach with a comparative and global perspective. While they will remain firmly theoretically and methodologically grounded in their respective disciplines, the three study areas - (1) domestic climate governance, (2) poverty and distributional impacts of mitigation policies, (3) global perspective and the mitigation-development discourse - will interact continuously. The investigation of domestic climate governance will rely mainly on qualitative methods. These will include interviews with policy-makers, experts and practitioners to investigate their motivations and the driving and constraining forces behind their actions in climate change mitigation policy processes. We then plan to assess the poverty and distributional impacts of mitigation policies (possibly including most NAMAs) in the three case study countries using incidence-focused general equilibrium models, simulation models based on micro-data, and a combination of these two modelling approaches. usw.