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Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB) 607: Wachstum oder Parasitenabwehr? Wettbewerb um Ressourcen in Nutzpflanzen aus Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Teilprojekt B1: Allometrie und Raumbesetzung von krautigen und holzigen Pflanzen. Integration von Pflanzen- und Bestandesebene

Das Projekt B1 'Allometrie und Raumbesetzung von krautigen und holzigen Pflanzen' ist Teil des Sonderforschungsbereiches 607 Wachstum und Parasitenabwehr und befindet sich bereits in der vierten Phase des seit 1998 laufenden Forschungsprojektes. Bisher wurde im Projekt B1 die Allometrie als Resultat der pflanzeninternen Steuerung der Allokation untersucht. Auf Individuenebene wurden Allometrie und ihre Veränderung für verschiedene Baumarten in verschiedenen ontogenetischen Stadien untersucht. Auf Bestandesebene wurden die self-thinning-Linien von Yoda und Reineke für krautige bzw. holzige Pflanzenbestände analysiert. Bisherige Allometriebestimmungen erbrachten für diese Arten zwar ähnliche Größenordnung aber auch charakteristische Unterschiede, die Ausdruck spezifischer Strategien der Raumbesetzung und -ausbeutung widerspiegeln. Die bisher vereinzelten Auswertungen sollen in Phase IV in eine übergreifende Analyse (versch. Arten, ontogenetische Stadien, Konkurrenzsituationen, Störfaktoren) der Allometrie auf Pflanzen- und Bestandesebene münden.

FP6-POLICIES, Comparison and Assessment of Funding Schemes for the Development of New Activities and Investments in Environmental Technologies (FUNDETEC)

The project examines funding of environmental technology development and commercialisation. The objectives are to: measure the performance of existing funding schemes (emphasising commercial-type funding); determine how environmental aspects are dealt with; identify obstacles; and suggest evolution of new schemes. Eight project work packages address these objectives, and also include development of environmental technology typologies, analysis of funding gaps, and comparison to Japan and the USA. The project supports SSP 5A by connecting policy and practice, linking researchers from across the EU, and using wide consultation to disseminate knowledge and maximise exploitation of research results. Consortium partners are drawn from five EU states, and have expertise and networks in private and public environmental technology funding and technology development processes. Stakeholder consultation with private and public funders, developers, academics, policy makers and NGOs will support research and knowledge dissemination. Consultation will include major public conferences and forums, sector-specific focus groups, and workshops to test analysis and geographic variations. Consultation and publication and dissemination of the final report will spur innovation by private and public funders, supporting knowledge exploitation after project completion. Research will emphasise private sector solutions, but will also include public-private partnerships, which are innovative measures that can assist in closing the funding gap. The varying applicability of such partnerships across different EU states will also be considered. The two project deliverables will be a database containing research and contact information, and a widely published final report that will integrate all research and recommendations. Prime Contractor: Partenaires Europeens pour l'Environnement; Bruxelles; Belgium.

Hydrogeological and hydrochemical modelling of density-driven flow in the Tiberias Basin, in particular between Ha'on and Tiberias Regions, Jordan Valley

The aim of the current research is to identify regional sources and trans-boundary flow leading to the observed salinity of Lake Tiberias (LT) -also known as the Sea of Galilee or Lake Kinneret-, and its surroundings, which is considered the only natural surface fresh water reservoir of the area. The current study will include all sources of brines in the Tiberias Basin (TB) with specific emphasis of the relationship between the brines from the Ha'on and Tiberias Regions (HTR).The tasks will be achieved by a multidisciplinary approach involving: (i) numerical modelling of density-driven flow processes (i.e., coupled heat and dissolution of evaporites), (ii) hydrochemical studies, supplemented by investigations of subsurface structures.(i) Numerical modelling will be carried out by applying the commercial software FEFLOW® (WASY, GmbH) complemented with the open source code OpenGeoSys developed at the UFZ of Leipzig (Wang et al., 2009). The final goal is to build a 3D regional-scale model of density-driven flow that will result in: (1) revealing the different interactions between fresh groundwater and natural salinity sources (2) elucidate the driving mechanisms of natural brines and brackish water body's movements.(ii) Hydrochemical study will include major, minor and, if possible, rare earth elements (REE) as well as isotope studies. The samples will be analysed at the FU Berlin and UFZ Halle laboratories. Geochemical data interpretation and inverse modelling will be supported by PHREEQC. Hydrochemical field investigations will be carried out in Tiberias basin and its enclosing heights, i.e. the Golan, Eastern Galilee and northern Ajloun in order to search for indications of the presence of deep, relic saline groundwater infested by the inferred Ha'on mother-brine. The current approaches will be supplemented by seismic and statistical data analysis as well as GIS software applications for the definition of the subsurface structures. The key research challenges are: building a 3D structural model of selected regions of TB, adapting both structural and hydrochemical data to the numerical requirements of the model; calibrating the 3D regional-scale model with observational data. The results of this work are expected to establish suitable water-management strategies for the exploitation of freshwater from the lake and from the adjacent aquifers while reducing salinization processes induced by both local and regional brines.

Landschaftsveränderungsdienst - Laverdi

Die Erkennung von Veränderungen der Landbedeckung der Erdoberfläche auf der Basis von satellitengestützten Fernerkundungsdaten ist seit Jahrzehnten ein sehr aktives Forschungsfeld. Das Ziel des Landschaftsveränderungsdiensts ist es, freie Copernicus-Satellitendaten für eine automatische Ableitung von Landbedeckungsänderungen zu nutzen und diese Informationen regelmäßig für einzelne Landschaftselemente (z.B. für Waldgebiete, Wasserflächen, Landwirtschaftsflächen usw.) über einen Web Service bereitzustellen. Copernicus Daten eignen sich aufgrund der hohen zeitlichen (ca. 3-5 Tage, je nach Sensor) und mittleren räumlichen Auflösung (ab 10m) ideal für eine regelmäßige bundesweite flächendeckende Analyse der Landbedeckung. Um eine hohe Bearbeitungsleistung zu erreichen wird die 'Copernicus Data and Exploitation Platform - Deutschland' (CODE-DE) für die Datenverarbeitung und -analyse genutzt. Es können aktuelle und konsistenteste Informationen über Landdeckungsänderungen abgeleitet werden, um kontinuierlich Geodaten in einer einheitlichen Qualität zu pflegen (siehe Abbildung 1). Andererseits können die gewonnenen Informationen genutzt werden, um statistisch relevante Geoinformationen zur quantitativen Beschreibung der UN-SDG-Indikatoren zu extrahieren. Die 2015 verabschiedete Agenda 2030 mit 17 Entwicklungszielen (SDG) und 169 Unterzielen verknüpft das Prinzip der Nachhaltigkeit mit der ökonomischen, ökologischen und sozialen Entwicklung. Die Umsetzung erfordert einen soliden Überprüfungsmechanismus. Dieser soll durch eine regemäßige nationale Erfassung von ca. 200 definierten UN-SDG-Indikatoren erfolgen, mit dem Ziel Fortschritte zu monitoren und die Politik zu informieren.

The reintroduction of sainfoin as an example of the use of a new resource for sustainable farming

The proposed RTN adopts a unified approach to a unique sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) collection. It will provide excellent training for young researchers in evaluating traditional resources and developing novel strategies for sustainable agriculture. This is timely because of the pending CAP reforms. The RTN will offer multisectorial and multidisciplinary training at 12 first-class research institutions and 3 SMEs in 11 countries. It is based on a structured combination of research and training activities to ensure that the young researchers will achieve optimal development of professional skills for their future careers . The young researchers will greatly benefit from the vast expertise in a wide range of disciplines amongst the partners: agronomy, plant breeding, seed production and marketing, animal nutrition, veterinary science, chemical analysis, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. The scientific approach will develop a scientific and technical basis for animal feeding systems based on lower chemical inputs by re-popularising traditional fodder legumes for more efficient, animal- and environment-friendly farming systems. Sainfoin will be a showcase for an excellent fodder legume, which was widely grown in Europe before the use of commercial fertilisers and synthetic drugs. Currently, a considerable amount of research occurs on sainfoin but includes only a few cultivars. This prevents exploitation of its full genetic potential. The unique collection already available within this network and a concerted evaluation will lay the foundation for exploiting the full potential of this traditional forage crop in contemporary cultivation systems. Training will consist of extensive scientific education on a local and network-wide basis and include complementary skills, e.g. foreign languages, personal, social and inter-cultural skills (management skills and soft skills). The proposed RTN adopts a unified approach to a unique sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) collection. It will provide excellent training for young researchers in evaluating traditional resources and developing novel strategies for sustainable agriculture. This is timely because of the pending CAP reforms. The RTN will offer multisectorial and multidisciplinary training at 12 first-class research institutions and 3 SMEs in 11 countries. It is based on a structured combination of research and training activities to ensure that the young researchers will achieve optimal development of professional skills for their future careers . The young researchers will greatly benefit from the vast expertise in a wide range of disciplines amongst the partners: agronomy, plant breeding, seed production and marketing, animal nutrition, veterinary science, chemical analysis, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology...

TRansitions to the Urban Water Services of Tomorrow (TRUST)

The European project initiative TRUST will produce knowledge and guidance to support TRansitions to Urban Water Services of Tomorrow, enabling communities to achieve sustainable, low-carbon water futures without compromising service quality. We deliver this ambition through close collaboration with problem owners in ten participating pilot city regions under changing and challenging conditions in Europe and Africa. Our work provides research driven innovations in governance, modelling concepts, technologies, decision support tools, and novel approaches to integrated water, energy, and infrastructure asset management. An extended understanding of the performance of contemporary urban water services will allow detailed exploration of transition pathways. Urban water cycle analysis will include use of an innovative systems metabolism model, derivation of key performance indicators, risk assessment, as well as broad stakeholder involvement and an analysis of public perceptions and governance modes. A number of emerging technologies in water supply, waste and storm water treatment and disposal, in water demand management and in the exploitation of alternative water sources will be analysed in terms of their cost-effectiveness, performance, safety and sustainability. Cross-cutting issues include innovations in urban asset management and water-energy nexus strengthening. The most promising interventions will be demonstrated and legitimised in the urban water systems of the ten participating pilot city regions. TRUST outcomes will be incorporated into planning guidelines and decision support tools, will be subject to life-cycle assessment, and be shaped by regulatory considerations as well as potential environmental, economic and social impacts. Outputs from the project will catalyse transformation change in both the form and management of urban water services and give utilities increased confidence to specify innovative solutions to a range of pressing challenges.

Solar Steam Reforming of Methane Rich Gas for Synthesis Gas Production (SOLREF)

Project main goals: The main purpose of this project is to develop an innovative 400 kWth solar reformer for several applications such as Hydrogen production or electricity generation. Depending of the feed source for the reforming process CO2 emissions can be reduced significantly (up to 40 percent using NG), because the needed process heat for this highly endothermic reaction is provided by concentrated solar energy. A pre-design of a 1 MW prototype plant in Southern Italy and a conceptual layout of a commercial 50 MWth reforming plant complete this project. Key issues: The profitability decides if a new technology has a chance to come into the market. Therefore several modifications and improvements to the state-of-the-art solar reformer technology will be introduced before large scale and commercial system can be developed. These changes are primarily to the catalytic system, the reactor optimisation and operation procedures and the associated optics for concentrating the solar radiation. For the dissemination of solar reforming technology the regions targeted are in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. The potential markets and the impact of infrastructure and administrative restrictions will be assessed. The environmental, socio-economic and institutional impacts of solar reforming technology exploitation will be assessed with respect to sustainable development. The market potential of solar reforming technology in a liberalised European energy market will be evaluated. Detailed cost estimates for a 50 MWth commercial plant will be determined.

FP6-SUSTDEV, Groundwater Artificial recharge Based on Alternative sources of wateR: aDvanced INtegrated technologies and managEment 8GABARDINE)

Aquifers are the main source of water in most semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean basin. As a result of over-exploitation hydrologic deficits of varying acuity prevail in these areas. Seawater intrusion and pollution have been identified as the primary factors for quality degradation. Further deterioration can be expected based on trends in the precipitation regime attributed to climate change. The objective of this project is to identify alternative sources of water and to investigate the feasibility, both environmental and economic of their utilization. Alternative water sources to be artificially recharged comprise: surface water runoff, treated effluent, and imported water. Furthermore, brackish water bodies, present in many aquifers could be utilised after desalination. The project structured into eight work-packages comprehensively addresses all issues related to the problem: expected precipitation rates, recharge and water budgets, identification of potential alternative water sources and technologies for their utilization, development of tools for the management of groundwater resources under artificial recharge conditions, aquifer vulnerability assessment, characterization of the unsaturated zone, and mixing effects. Four test sites have been selected for practical application of the approach. Substantial field testing, integration of technologies and findings to ensure optimal implementations of aquifer recharge alternatives, quantification of socio-economic impacts and development of dissemination platform are planned. Finally a carefully designed project management shall drive and accompany the project execution in order to ascertain consistency and efficiency.

Optimisation and design of biomass combustion systems (OPTICOMB)

The major problems regarding biomass combustion are still the NOx and CO emissions, especially when the fuel becomes more diverse (high peaks during transients). The continuously changing fuel composition, the non-linearity of the process and the multi variability of the process makes it difficult to decrease the emissions further. Therefore classical control strategies are no longer effective. In order to improve the actual process control system, advanced control technologies based upon process models are needed. To achieve this goal static models have to be integrated with dynamic models. At present, no satisfying tools are available to describe the NOx formation in the fuel layer and the gas phase. Therefore, an extensive study on fuel layer and gas phase NOx formation mechanisms will be performed. The developed mechanisms will be integrated in a CFD combustion model and a static fuel layer model in order to be able to minimise the CO and NOx emission. Based upon experimental work and plant data, a new grate will be designed. A dynamic furnace model is developed for biomass combustion. Special measurements techniques will be used to gather actual plant data (2 plants, diverse fuels) to validate the models. The stochastic characteristics of the fuel will be revealed, which is used together with the dynamic model to investigate the disturbance rejection capacity of the plant. All information will be used to develop new control concepts and to design new combustion systems also from a dynamic point of view. These will be tested in an installation. The environmental survey of the influence of the proposed technology, a market analysis, information dissemination and exploitation strategies will be carried out.

The DYnamic NAture of introgressive hybridization in natural and introduced polyploid plants from agricultural and riparian landscapes: an evaluation of MOlecular tools in willows (Salix sp.) (DYNAMO)

The main objective of this research project is to use and further develop molecular tools to determine the genetic identity of polyploid and introgressed populations. The use of different complementary approaches on the same carefully sampled material will enable accurate a ppraisal of the usefulness of the different techniques in (i) genotyping polyploid individuals; (ii) revealing hybrid identity; and (iii) estimating the extent of introgression in natural populations, all of which are very important issues in conservation genetics. The molecular tools that will be included in this study are: 1) a selection of RAPDs and AFLPs (manual) (partner 01), 2) enzyme consensus primers (partner 01), 3) nuclear SSRs (partner 02), 4) cpDNA and mtDNA sequence analysis (partner 03), 5) cp SSRs (partner 04). In this project the Salix alba - Salix fragilis complex will be used first as a model to verify whether genetic analysis of the same samples with different techniques do indeed give consistent results concerning the extent of introgression. Full-sib progeny of controlled inter- and intraspecific crosses shall form the basis of molecular marker selections. Thereafter, carefully chosen populations, originating from particular stretches of European river margins, will be analysed (e.g. River Rhine, Rhône, Schelde, Po, Donau). The evaluation of the ability of these techniques in hybridization-related research will allow end-users such as breeders and foresters to apply this knowledge in their particular fields of interest. Opportunities for dissemination of results and exploitation by potential end-users will be maximized through close association with the Biotechnology for Biodiversity Platform (BBP).

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