Desertification and risk analysis using high and medium resolution satellite data
Subtitle: training workshop on mapping desertification
By: edited by Alberto Marini and Mohamed Talbi.
Contributors: Marini, Alberto, 1945-; Talbi, Mohamed.; North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Public Diplomacy Division.
Series: NATO science for peace and security series. Series C, Environmental security; NATO science for peace and security series
Publisher: Springer
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Dordrecht, Netherlands
Language: eng
Number of pages: 273
ISBN-13: 9781402089350; 9781402089367; 9781402089374
Subjects: Desertification -- Congresses; Desertification -- Control -- Congresses; Desertification -- Remote sensing -- Data processing -- Congresses
Genres: Congresses
Other titles: Training workshop on mapping desertification; Mapping desertification.
Description: This publication collects the results of a practical experience of survey, through the direct control of satellite images from high to medium resolution, over areas subjected to desertification problems. The problems of the local population are closely tied to the equilibrium in the management of the territory, which is compromised by the difficulties of maintaining traditional methodologies of management. The new survey technologies, based on the Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, allow analyzing the details of the present situation and point out the dynamism of the phenomena and the impacts with anthropogenic activities. Training has been carried out in the Tozeur area, in central Tunisia, where participants had the chance to analyze on the field a series of different aspects. It has also been possible to discuss similar experiences in distant territories and the importance of the physical processes of desertification.

During the development of the intensive training on the job, visits to entrepreneurial truths concerning the management of the territory have been carried out. The analyzed area finds in tourism an answer to the necessities of improving the living conditions of the population. Specialists from twelve nations presented actions of management of the territory, with detailed attention on environmental security and the conditions of the territory. From the observations carried out the fragility of the landscape of the oases has emerged, which are subjected to total anthropogenic management and therefore closely linked to the availability of the specialized workers in the traditional methodologies. It is natural that the management of the lands changes according to modern technologies, but, with a too fast pace, this evolution risks to upset the management of the territory.

The exchange of information, the ability to map the variations, the dialogue between the parts, will favor the maintenance of the political security in the Mediterranean region. This experience of cooperation and association constitutes a precedent for the development of a system of high education courses to be provided to the local communities for the common wellbeing.
Notes: "Results of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Desertification and Risk Analysis Using High and Medium Satellite Data, Tozeur, Tunisia, 9-19 December 2006"--T.p. verso.

"Published in cooperation with NATO Public Diplomacy Division."

Includes bibliographical references.