PROJECT SUMMARY

Problems to be solved

In the five EU countries of the Mediterranean Basin natural resources are intensively utilised. While most of the land uses have undergone long evolutions and traditionally were sustainable, changing socio-economical and political frameworks have partly led to deviations from the former equilibrium. In Mediterranean ecosystems, the combination of socio-economic boundary conditions and the specific physical determinants often lead to the degradation of natural resources. These degradation processes may manifest in an accelerated erosion of soil, which is a limited resource of high importance to human welfare in many respects, or vegetation degradation that is directly inter-connected with soil properties and vice versa.

The LADAMER project shall contribute to the protection of the natural environment by providing products relevant for planners and political agents. This is in accordance with the European Treaty requiring that "environmental protection must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the other Community policies". It also contributes strongly to the mitigation and prevention of land degradation, which is considered a major threat to Mediterranean ecosystems. Hence, sustainable land management contributes to the National Action Plans that have been established as a consequence of the UN Convention to Combating Desertification. Important to mention is recent COM on soil as well as planned legislation on soil monitoring.