Indicators and Information Requirements for Combatting Desertification
95
are actually accessible. This was a major concern of all thematic groups during the
workshop. In addition, the need for better integration of information, for better
definition of vulnerability indicators, and for more information directed towards the
support of mitigation strategies was expressed.
The working groups added some specific considerations.
Working Group 1: Climate and remote sensing related
Relevant existing data are archived at international data centres as well as at
national meteorological and hydrological services. These data basis should be
broadened by data which exist in regional and "private" archives (individual
researchers, research institutes, universities, industries such as energy producers,
etc); existing data should be made easier available for this research and, as far as
possible, be brought physically together; reliability and accuracy control should be
mandatory.
Working Group 2: Soil, water, and vegetation related
Both Mediterranean and African research teams have relevant interdisciplinary data
and information that could be of benefit to the National Action Plans.
With respect to hydrological data, organisations responsible for collecting and
storing hydrological data have long been established, but there is a threat to existing
data, where institutions formerly responsible for running and documenting gauging
stations etc., are being disbanded or privatised. The following needs were identified:
a) a data and information retrieval or preservation initiative, comparable to that
described for meteorological data should be considered, and b) meta data from sets
from completed desertification projects should be archived at one of the identified
centres.
With reference to soil data, although the availability of large scale surveys may
give the impression that much is known about the distribution of degraded soils or
those threatened by desertification, in practise, the data and information used for
compilation and validation of the maps is limited. At more detailed scales, important
data and information is often available outside the national catalogues and archives.
As with the hydrological data, efforts should be made to retrieve, compile and
incorporate this information into existing archives. Furthermore, there has been a
contraction in the number of organisations compiling detailed information on soils
and there is urgency in rescuing archives before they are lost. Finally, soil map
legendas and profile descriptions were usually made for purposes other than
desertification or soil degradation.
In relation to vegetation, much information is available with respect to "land
cover types" and data from remote sensing. However, it was the experience of the
working group that the data available, although in itself an achievement, often
missed critical qualities and did not provide what was needed for monitoring and
understanding change.
95
are actually accessible. This was a major concern of all thematic groups during the
workshop. In addition, the need for better integration of information, for better
definition of vulnerability indicators, and for more information directed towards the
support of mitigation strategies was expressed.
The working groups added some specific considerations.
Working Group 1: Climate and remote sensing related
Relevant existing data are archived at international data centres as well as at
national meteorological and hydrological services. These data basis should be
broadened by data which exist in regional and "private" archives (individual
researchers, research institutes, universities, industries such as energy producers,
etc); existing data should be made easier available for this research and, as far as
possible, be brought physically together; reliability and accuracy control should be
mandatory.
Working Group 2: Soil, water, and vegetation related
Both Mediterranean and African research teams have relevant interdisciplinary data
and information that could be of benefit to the National Action Plans.
With respect to hydrological data, organisations responsible for collecting and
storing hydrological data have long been established, but there is a threat to existing
data, where institutions formerly responsible for running and documenting gauging
stations etc., are being disbanded or privatised. The following needs were identified:
a) a data and information retrieval or preservation initiative, comparable to that
described for meteorological data should be considered, and b) meta data from sets
from completed desertification projects should be archived at one of the identified
centres.
With reference to soil data, although the availability of large scale surveys may
give the impression that much is known about the distribution of degraded soils or
those threatened by desertification, in practise, the data and information used for
compilation and validation of the maps is limited. At more detailed scales, important
data and information is often available outside the national catalogues and archives.
As with the hydrological data, efforts should be made to retrieve, compile and
incorporate this information into existing archives. Furthermore, there has been a
contraction in the number of organisations compiling detailed information on soils
and there is urgency in rescuing archives before they are lost. Finally, soil map
legendas and profile descriptions were usually made for purposes other than
desertification or soil degradation.
In relation to vegetation, much information is available with respect to "land
cover types" and data from remote sensing. However, it was the experience of the
working group that the data available, although in itself an achievement, often
missed critical qualities and did not provide what was needed for monitoring and
understanding change.