CLUE · Complex landscape units for environmental assessment and modelling
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2005-09-01 → 2007-08-31
- EU contribution
- €157,320
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - CLUE (Complex Landscape Units for Environmental assessment and modelling)
The CLUE project bridged methods of Geographic information system (GIS), GIS and image processing with more traditional disciplines of physical geography and geomorphology. The overall aim was to develop a method to automatically derive landform elements from Digital terrain models (DTM) or Digital elevation models (DEM), respectively. DEMs are widely accessible today. Following the worldwide coverage from the Shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) mission, i.e. the space shuttle flown radar based elevation model, most industrialised countries and emerging economies have high resolution data sets available, which represent a smaller than 50 m grid resolution. These raster data sets are widely used in, for example, visual illustrations or terrain analysis. Within the CLUE project a methodology of classifying landform elements was established. Results were published in journals and book chapters and presented at conferences. New methods for validating classification outputs of terrain data were developed. Through these achievements it was possible to derive semi-automatically (some corrections of the underlying rule sets were necessary only when applying the methodology to very flat areas or specific high mountain landscapes) landform elements such as 'peaks', 'foot slopes' or 'valleys' based on their geometry. Therefore, the forms were generic and descriptive and did not explain the origin of the landforms as geomorphology typically does, e.g. in 'glacial valleys'. Rather than that, the methodology allowed for delineation of forms for large areas beforehand, in case topology was integrated as an additional layer in applications such as hydrology or mapping potential disaster zones.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The overall objective is to develop and test a methodology to integrate landform elements within the landscape definition, in order to analyse and model the effects of spatial pattern on ecological phenomena.In details, this research projects has three distinct objectives:- To improve and test the automated system of classification of landform elements.- To set up a new methodology for delineation of the complex landscape units.- To use the complex landscape units to assess the ecological quality of sites and the change dynamics, tailored to the requirements of the environmental reporting in the NATURA2000 context.These objectives will be achieved based on innovative application of Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques, which are integrated in order to create an original research workflow. A key concept in this research is the object-oriented image analysis.Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and satellite imagery will be basic inputs to create landform and land cover/land use maps, which will be then used for the delineation of complex landscape units. Landscape metrics applications will be performed to assess the ecological quality of sites. Change detection will be the tool to evaluate change dynamics. Mountainous and hilly environments in Romania, Germany and Austria will provide the study sites.The combination of candidate, host, supervisor and project are set to have synergistic effects. They fulfil the objectives of the Marie Curie initiative under FP6, to enhance mobility in particular of young researchers who advance novel ideas between European countries. The study of habitats, ecosystems and biological diversity has been identified as one of the priority areas in FP6.This project will significantly contribute to this priority b y structuring our understanding of threatened habitats, evaluating the conservation measures that have been taken, identifying and monitoring the Sites of Community Importance, under the 'Habitat' Directive.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF SALZBURG, CENTRE FOR GEOINFORMATICS · SALZBURGCoordinatorCity levelAustria
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union