| INDEX,
a specific targeted research project (STREP) within the Sixth Framework
Programme (Global Change in Ecosystems) intends to develop
Indicators and Thresholds for Desertification, Soil Quality, and
Remediation. In its first year (2004) sites
in Spain, Italy, Hungary and Italy, which represent a broad
range of soil degradation, related pressures and remediation action,
have been selected and more than 1000 soil samples have been and
are currently analysed for
A
site
description, the justification
of site selection and a remediation
handbook are deliverables of the first year, which may be already
downloaded from the INDEX
homepage.
The
second year will be dedicated to the development of the indicators
based on the results of the soil analyses. Another important task
will be to select sites for the verification of the results.
If
you are familiar with a site, where soil degradation and
desertification processes are going on, and where
- some
research has been undertaken;
- a
remediation action or experiment has been carried out; or
- similar
projects, dealing with desertification or severe soil degradation,
are being done.
we
would be grateful if you could draw our attention to it. Please
go to http://www.soil-index.com/english/contact.php
and send us a message so as to inform us.
In
order to improve the interactions within European Commission funded
projects, we would also appreciate it, if you draw the attention
of your colleagues to INDEX. They, of course, are also welcome to
subscribe
to our biannual newsletter.
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