Data Model and Analysis for Spatial Assessment of Environmental Impact and Targeting of Agri-Environmental Schemes at Regional Scales

The report introduces the concepts and strategies for implementing spatial based methods for the assessment of actual environmental impact of Rural Development agri-environmental measures. The objective is to set directions for research work proposing an array of possibilities to identify, assess and to map the impact of the Rural Development schemes related to the Community environmental priorities in contribution to the EC defined evaluation indicators. Specific research results will be reported separately.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Correspondence of Satellite Measured Phenology to European Farmland Bird Distribution Patterns

This report presents research in establishing linkages between remotely sensed information of vegetation cover and biological diversity, specifically focusing on farmland birds. The vegetation cover was investigated via phenological indices derived from time series of satellite images. The quantification of phenological processes is very important for understanding ecosystems and ecological development. Such factors determine population growth and influence species-species interactions (competition, predation, reproduction) and species distribution. Birds have long been used to provide early warning of environmental problems, because they are the best known and documented major taxonomic group, especially in terms of the sizes and trends of populations and distributions. Common farmland birds are in decline throughout Europe, with the cumulative populations of all 33 species of farmland birds suffering a decline of 44 per cent between 1980 and 2005. For the link between vegetation dynamics and farmland birds distribution phenological indices and their spatial statistical characteristics were calculated from the time series of the SPOT Vegetation images. The farmland birds species data were selected from the European Bird Census Counsel (EBCC) Atlas of European breeding birds. Both datasets were then statistically analyzed using the Environmental Stratification of Europe. The study shows that this stratification is very appropriate to describe the spatial distribution of farmland birds. Furthermore it was shown that phenological indicators, especially the start of the growing season, the first greening up measures and the productivity measures are good indicators of the distribution of the European farmland birds and that these indicators are comparable to climatic measures. The importance of using phenological indicators is argued by the illustrated fact that phenological indicators can deliver information on the habitat on a higher spatial resolution that cannot be obtained through climatic data. This combination of information supplies indispensible measures to monitor those environmental changes that most probably lead to the reported dramatic decrease of the species.JRC.DDG.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

Characterization of Pan-Mediterranean Riparian Areas by Remote Sensing Derived Phenological Indices

This report aimed at inventorying characteristics of Mediterranean riparian-use zones using statistical analysis of some phenological indices calculated from remote sensing time series. Riparian areas are focused because of their prime importance in offering potential for adapted agricultural landuse and their ecosystem services. The quantity of vegetation cover present in these wider riparian-use zones has been proven to be directly dependent to adjacent landuse and related to the functioning of the zone as wider riparian buffer. Phenological indices derived from low resolution remote sensing time series can be used in complement with other data to assess and monitor dynamics and stresses of the riparian-use zones.JRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

Adult Literacy Fundamental English, Reader 6

1. Storytelling Goes Digital2. What�s Your Story?3. What's Your Message?4. Setting the Tone5. Writing the Script6. Seeing and Hearing Your Digital Story7. Uploading Your Computer Files8. Getting Started with WeVideo9. Recording Your Voiceover10. Bringing It All Together11. Sharing Your Digital StoryThis reader contains 11 original instructional essays written specifically for adults, and is designed to accompany the BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English - Course Pack 6. This level 6 reader, one of a series of six readers, is roughly equivalent to grades 7.5 to 9 in the K-12 system. New vocabulary are set in bold throughout each story, and then summarized and defined in a Glossary found in the appendix. Font size and line spacing can be adjusted in the online view, and have been enhanced for the print and PDF versions for easier reading. This reader has been reviewed by subject experts from colleges and universities

Spatial Assessment of the Status of Riparian Zones and Related Effectiveness of Agri-Environmental Schemes in Andalusia, Spain

The report introduces the concepts and results of a case study on riparian zones in Andalusia, Spain with focus on the assessment of actual environmental impact of Rural Development Agri-Environmental Measures (AEMs) by implementing spatial data and remote sensing based methods. The objective of the research work is to propose an array of possibilities to identify, assess and to map the impact of the Rural Development schemes related to the Community environmental priorities in contribution to the EC defined evaluation indicators. The present study suggests widening the concept of riparian zones into a larger riparian area including immediate surrounding land. The riparian zones of the Guadalquivir river network have been mapped and analyzed by using three types of spatial data. Confirmation of the association of extensive agricultural land use with better riparian system status as monitored through remote sensing vegetation phenology indicators is a step forward to spatially address riparian-use zone management and targeting of Agri-Environmental and water protection measures. Furthermore the results indicate the possibility of assessing the effectiveness of AEMs on erosion control in olive areas in southern Spain.JRC.H.7 - Land management and natural hazard

Adult Literacy Fundamental English, Course Pack 2

Langston Hughes: A Poet�s LifeThis course pack is designed to meet the learning outcomes for Adult Literacy Fundamental English Level 2 (roughly equivalent to grades 1.5 to 3 in the K-12 system). Every of the eight chapters includes a level-appropriate, high-interest reading of approximately 200 words. The readings are freely available in a separate reader with convenient links to the readings in each chapter of this course pack. The online version of this course pack also contains audio recordings of each story in the reader. These recordings, combined with vocabulary and word pattern exercises, prepare the Level 2 student to read each chapter with greater independence. Font size and line spacing can be adjusted in the online view, and have been enhanced for the print and PDF versions for easier reading. This course pack has been reviewed by subject experts from colleges and universities

Adult Literacy Fundamental English, Reader 1

1. Sweetgrass2. A New Flower3. The Sack Garden4. Val�s Garden5. GM Food6. Tomatoes7. Grow Your Own Tomatoes8. Canada�s Tallest Tree9. Arctic PlantsThis reader contains nine original stories about healing, discovery, survival, relationships, justice, and connections to the land explored through the lens of the plant world. These stories, written specifically for adults, are designed to accompany the BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English - Course Pack 1. This level 1 reader, one of a series of six readers, is roughly equivalent to beginner to grade 1.5 in the K-12 system. Font size and line spacing can be adjusted in the online view, and have been enhanced for the print and PDF versions for easier reading. This reader has been reviewed by subject experts from colleges and universities

Prediction of lichen diversity in an UNESCO biosphere reserve - correlation of high resolution remote sensing data with field samples

The present study focuses on developing models to predict lichen species richness in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Swiss Pre-Alps following a gradient of land-use intensity combining remote sensing data and regression models. The predictive power of the models and the obtained r ranging from 0.5 for lichens on soil to 0.8 for lichens on trees can be regarded as satisfactory to good, respectively. The study revealed that a combination of airborne and spaceborne remote sensing data produced a variety of ecological meaningful variable

Global Ecosystem Response Types Derived from the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index and FPAR3g Series

Observing trends in global ecosystem dynamics is an important first step, but attributing these trends to climate variability represents a further step in understanding Earth system changes. In the present study, we classified global Ecosystem Response Types (ERTs) based on common spatio-temporal patterns in time-series of Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and FPAR3g anomalies (1982–2011) by using an extended Principal Component Analysis. The ERTs represent region specific spatio-temporal patterns of ecosystems responding to drought or ecosystems with decreasing severity in drought events as well as ecosystems where drought was not a dominant factor in a 30-year period. Highest explanatory values in the SPEI12-FPAR3g anomalies and strongest SPEI12-FPAR3g correlations were seen in the ERTs of Australia and South America whereas lowest explanatory value and lowest correlations were observed in Asia and North America. These ERTs complement traditional pixel based methods by enabling the combined assessment of the location, timing, duration, frequency and severity of climatic and vegetation anomalies with the joint assessment of wetting and drying climatic conditions. The ERTs produced here thus have potential in supporting global change studies by mapping reference conditions of long term ecosystem changes.JRC.H.5-Land Resources Managemen

Adult Literacy Fundamental English, Reader 4

1. The Story of Our Human Rights2. The Story of Viola Desmond3. The Story of Nellie McClung4. The Story of Tommy Douglas5. The Story of Joy Kogawa6. The Story of Jim Egan7. The Story of Elijah Harper8. The Story of Gabor Mat�9. Standing Up for Your Human RightsThis reader contains nine original stories written specifically for adults, and is designed to accompany the BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English - Course Pack 4. This level 4 reader, one of a series of six readers, is roughly equivalent to grades 4.5 to 6 in the K-12 system. New vocabulary are set in bold throughout each story, and then summarized and defined in a Glossary found in the appendix. Font size and line spacing can be adjusted in the online view, and have been enhanced for the print and PDF versions for easier reading. This reader has been reviewed by subject experts from colleges and universities