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.
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.
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.
GLORIA combines a Michelson interferometer with a detector array of 128 x 128 pixels and will be the first 2D infrared limb imaging spectrometer worldwide. It is designed for HALO and will measure the distribution of temperature and a considerable number of trace constituents along with cloud mapping with unprecedented spatial resolution in the free troposphere and lower stratosphere. It is an essential contribution to the HALO demo missions TACTS, POLSTRACC, and CIRRUS-RS. Imaging Fourier transform spectrometers impose a number of challenges with respect to instrument calibration / characterisation and for algorithm development. The work of the first proposal focused on characterisation and modeling of the instrument and on the development of methods and algorithms which are capable of generating calibrated spectra with high accuracy. Accurately calibrated spectra are a prerequisite for the retrieval of atmospheric parameters and the scientific data exploitation. Within this renewal proposal the developed characterisation methods will be applied to the instrument in flight configuration, and the new algorithms will be used to generate highly accurate calibrated spectra from the raw interferograms measured during the HALO demo missions. The work will be completed by a thorough error analysis for the calibrated spectra. Finally, instrument settings, calibration scenario and data processing shall be optimised with respect to data quality. This proposal contributes to the development of high technology sensors and instruments for the use on HALO.
This project aims at investigating a scientific and societal pressing subject which requires urgent attention: the geo-hazards associated with the imminent use of the Arctic Ocean under the changing conditions forced by Global Change. Due to the increasing temperatures, the Arctic region is experiencing a decline of glaciers and sea-ice. Sea-ice reduction will soon expose to exploration yet unknown seafloor and sub-seafloor geology. Given todays interest in natural resources exploitation, the Arctic regions will experience an increase in seafloor and sub-seafloor use and an accelerated development of infrastructures, especially in coastal and continental margin areas. The glacial environment of the Arctic land masses causes that physical processes along continental margins differ substantially from those at lower latitudes, where continental slopes are built with river-fed sediments and glacial influence is comparatively unimportant. Continental margins at lower latitudes are better studied because industrialized nations have previously focused their activities there. The response of the Arctic seafloor and sub-seafloor system to upcoming changes in physical oceanography and glacial conditions, and the resultant sedimentary processes are yet not understood. To evaluate the future response of the Arctic geological system to Global Change is necessary to further understand the interplay among past climate change, continental margin geology, and submarine slope stability. This project aims at filling that critical gap in understanding. The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate how the increase of temperature, within the bounds of current predictions, may change the behavior of the Arctic geological system and alter slope stability. To achieve the goal we will estimate the volume and rate of gas release into the atmosphere that might affect climate, and evaluate the potential feed back of climate change to gas-hydrate dissociation. We will analyze potential future scenarios of slope in-stability in the context of the combined effect of the removal of past ice loading, ongoing temperature change, and stability of the geological elements of the continental margin system.
The research, development and demonstration activities planned for the ERG project focus on the solar energy supply chain, starting form solar cells and proceeding along with innovative energy extraction (harvesting) techniques, high efficiency power conversion and finally managing the energy distribution inside a smart grid, with the target of different classes of applications, from house to small area, as well as application specific 'local grid' (healthcare, automotive, etc). By considering the full solar energy supply chain, we expect to produce relevant improvements of the industrial state-of-the-art in the efficiency of solar cells, in the optimization of energy generated by photovoltaic systems, in the loss reduction of power converters and, finally, in energy management strategy. At the initial chain-link of the energy value chain, the project aims to design and develop a set of innovative solar cells. In particular we primarily target the development of ultra-thin (20 micron) Si wafer PV cells, Si hetero-junction cells (tandem/multi-junction and hetero-junction contacts), novel architectures (e.g., back-contact), novel materials (for Si hetero-junctions, ARC, and passivation dielectrics), novel approaches for screen printing and laser processing, with focus to the case of back-contact cells. As a promising low-cost alternative to Si, ERG will pursue the goal of totally printable dye-sensitized-solar-cells (DSSC). This will include (a) printable electrolyte (to replace liquid electrolyte), (b) advanced TiO2 electrode, and (c) counter electrode (to meet high performance DSSC applications). The overall objective is to demonstrate DSSC products for commercial applications. The next downward chain-link addressed by the project deals with optimization of the energy generated by photovoltaic systems by focusing on power management electronics for silicon cell panels and on micro electromechanical systems for Concentrated Photovoltaic cells (CPV). The complete supply chains will be considered for optimum energy exploitation by Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and power conversion on module / segment levels for PV and also CPV solar generators. The architecture study will elaborate different profiles of end-users, including direct grid connection, energy storage option and E-mobility support. As the final chain-link is concerned, the project will develop behavioural models for the individual components of the 'Smart Grid'. This allows the development of optimal energy dispatching and battery charging algorithms. These algorithms will obtain their input from sensors distributed over the network, with typically, but not exclusive, a wireless communication infrastructure. A full set of demonstrators, including innovative PV cells, novel conversion systems for PV and CPV inverters, and network demonstrators based on a household application and an industrial application will complete the project deliverables.
PROMISE strives for multidimensional networking thus fostering integration. The primary strategic objective of PROMISE is to improve and increase the integration, collaboration and knowledge transfer between the new member states, old member states (EU15) and candidate countries through a collaborative workplan of exchange of expertise and regional training and dissemination actions, to tackle common food safety threats. PROMISE strives for sustainability through involvement of risk communicators. A further strategic objective is to integrate stakeholders like public health authorities and national food safety authorities from the old and new member countries in order to ensure the exploitation of research results into standardisation and harmonisation efforts. PROMISE will enhance the knowledge on pathogen transmission. While legal imports are well monitored for contamination and alerts are registered through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed RASFF notification systems, gates into the EU-27 could exist where food supply chains are not controllled. These uncontrolled imports present the risk that new strains of traditional pathogens will be transferred from third countries into the European Union. Analysing, assessing and interpreting this risk of introducing new strains of pathogens is one of the main objectives of PROMISE.
In spite of a variety of efforts, tropical forests are still threatened by exploitation and conversion to agricultural land-use. Besides legal protection, sustainable management concepts are essential for stable conservation of these ecosystems. This project aims at identifying and optimizing the potentials for forest management for three different ecosystems (Dry Forest, Tropical Mountain Rain Forest, Paramo) along a height- and climate gradient in Southern Ecuador. Therefore, multiple and locally differentiated aspects of forest management have to be considered: the direct provision of goods (timber and non-timber forest products) as well as ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, water regulation), which are of increasing importance; moreover, the effects of forest management on biodiversity and the impacts of climate change on resilience indicators and the potential distribution of selected species with high potential for sustainable management or conservation should be investigated. First of all, the most important forest structure types and possible improvements of management alternatives have to be identified at the three sites for the assessment of different management concepts. The alternatives will be tested on experimental field plots and consequently monitored for their impacts on the locally most important criteria of forest management. A sound decision support tool will be developed, taking into account uncertainties with regard to input parameters and the relevance of different criteria of forest management. Therefore, Multi Criteria Decision Analysis will be used to generate locally adapted management concepts for the different ecosystems. Those concepts should be able to consider the multiple functions of forest management and will represent the forestry component in sustainable land-use models. The comprehensive studies will be carried out in close cooperation with other scientific teams from Germany and Ecuador as well as local institutions of relevance for forest management. The direct involvement of Ecuadorian students and young academics and the integration of the investigations in educational concepts will contribute to capacity building and local efforts for the enhancement of environmental competencies. Moreover, the experimental field plots will serve in parts as demonstration objects for the implementation of sustainable forest management concepts.
The objectives of the ProMine IP address the Commission s concerns over the annual 11 billion trade deficit in metal and mineral imports. Europe has to enhance the efficiency of its overall production chain putting higher quality and added value products on the market. ProMine focuses on two parts of this chain, targeting extractive and end-user industries. Upstream, the first ever Pan-EU GIS based mineral resource and advanced modeling system for the extractive industry will be created, showing known and predicted, metallic and non-metallic mineral occurrences across the EU. Detailed 4D computer models will be produced for four metalliferous regions. Upstream work will also include demonstrating the reliability of new (Bio) technologies for an eco-efficient production of strategic metals, driven by the creation of on-site added value and the identification of specific needs of potential end-users. Downstream, a new strategy will be developed for the European extractive industry which looks not only at increasing production but also at delivering high value, tailored nano-products which will form the new raw materials for the manufacturing industry. ProMine research will focus on five nano-products, (Conductive metal (Cu, Ag, Au) fibres, rhenium and rhenium alloy powders, nano-silica, iron oxyhydroxysulphate and new nano-particle based coatings for printing paper), which will have a major impact on the economic viability of the extractive industry. They will be tested at bench scale, and a number selected for development to pilot scale where larger samples can be provided for characterisation and testing by end-user industries. It will include production, testing and evaluation of these materials, with economic evaluation, life cycle cost analysis, and environmental sustainability. ProMine with 26 partners from 11 EU member states, has a strong industrial involvement while knowledge exploitation will transfer ProMine results to the industrial community.
Building Materials are a basic need, which is often difficult to meet in developing countries. Concrete is the building material best suited to meet these demands, although cement, the central ingredient is often disproportionately expensive in developing counties. The most promising option to lower costs (and environmental impact) is to blend conventional Portland cement with pozzolanic materials. The aim of this project is to develop technologies appropriate for the small scale, local production of pozzolans from clay (a material widely available) in conjunction with the exploitation of waste biomass for combined heat and power production. The modular concept of a clay activation unit, CAU to be coupled with a biomass boiler, will give the flexibility to adapt the solution to local conditions. We have already demonstrated that relatively common (low grade) clayey soils can be activated to give a pozzolan similar in performance to fly ash (from coal fired electricity production) widely used in the developed world. Results also indicate that it is possible to improve their reactivity by using and optimizing flash calcination, to allow high levels of substitution and very significant improvements in cost/performance ratio. To achieve this we need also to look at the performance of the activated clays in concrete from the point of view of rheology, hardening and durability to enable optimum cost/performance to be achieved according to local materials and applications. The partnership between LMC, EPFL and two academic groups in Cuba has already been established in a previous project. Furthermore, one of the Cuban partners plays a leading role in ECOSUR (a Swiss NGO) which has established workshops, producing low cost building materials, in many developing countries. In the first part of the project significant scientific advances were made, which enabled a huge acceleration in progress, relative to previous work by the Cuban partners alone. In addition, 3 Cuban PhD students spent several months working in the Swiss laboratory and have now returned to Cuba to continue their research. In this project, funding is requested for one PhD student to be based in Switzerland, who will work closely with 3 Cuban PhD Student (funded be the Cuban government). On the Cuban side, funds are requested for essential equipment and to fund the stays of the students at EPFL. Each of the Cuban students will spend 4-8 months working at EPFL during the course of the project.
| Organisation | Count |
|---|---|
| Bund | 54 |
| Europa | 33 |
| Wissenschaft | 25 |
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Förderprogramm | 54 |
| License | Count |
|---|---|
| Offen | 54 |
| Language | Count |
|---|---|
| Deutsch | 3 |
| Englisch | 53 |
| Resource type | Count |
|---|---|
| Keine | 38 |
| Webseite | 16 |
| Topic | Count |
|---|---|
| Boden | 50 |
| Lebewesen und Lebensräume | 52 |
| Luft | 34 |
| Mensch und Umwelt | 54 |
| Wasser | 40 |
| Weitere | 54 |