LifeWatch Alboran assesses progress in urban biodiversity conservation through the use of environmental status monitoring tools to enable local authorities to formulate policies for biodiversity management, protection and enhancement of ecosystems and species of importance. But where has agforest been involved in this project?
Mapping of CO2 absorption
Carbon sinks play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by helping to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Natural carbon sinks include forests, wetlands, grasslands, and oceans, while man-made carbon sinks can include forest plantations and carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques. The preservation and restoration of these natural sinks, as well as the implementation of sustainable agricultural and forestry practices, are important strategies for combating climate change.
The objectives of the project are as follows:
- Anticipate effects such as climate change, resource depletion, energy and material dependence, and biodiversity reduction by incorporating ICTs.
- Monitor GHG absorption in the urban ecosystem (reduction of CO2 emissions).
- Contribute to the improvement of human health.
- To promote R&D&I by generating research models that can apply results to specific projects that are developed.
- Transfer knowledge to public administration managers, researchers, companies and citizens to formulate policies/decisions that preserve biodiversity.
- To assess progress in urban biodiversity conservation through monitoring tools that allow local authorities to formulate policies for biodiversity management, protection and enhancement of ecosystems and species of importance.
What results do we expect from this?
- CO2 absorption maps
- Formulation of biodiversity management policies
- Increased number of R&D&I companies related to Biodiversity and Climate Change: new employment niche
Thermal environment monitoring
The term “urban heat island” (UHI) refers to a phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and urbanisation. The urban heat island effect can have several negative impacts, such as an increase in energy consumption for cooling, exacerbation of extreme weather conditions and an impact on people’s health, especially in times of heat waves.
To mitigate the urban heat island effect, cities can implement strategies such as increasing the amount of green space, promoting sustainable construction, using reflective materials on urban surfaces and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These measures can help create cooler and more sustainable urban environments.
The objectives of the project are therefore to:
- Anticipate effects such as climate change, resource depletion, energy and material dependency, and biodiversity reduction by incorporating ICTs.
- Contribute to the improvement of human health.
- Promote citizen science: Facilitate the participation of the population in providing environmental data.
- Promote R&D&I by generating research models that can apply results to specific projects that are developed.
- Transfer knowledge to public administration managers, researchers, companies and citizens to formulate policies/decisions that preserve biodiversity.
- To assess progress in urban biodiversity conservation through monitoring tools that allow local authorities to formulate policies for biodiversity management, protection and enhancement of ecosystems and species of importance.
What results do we expect from this?
- Real-time heat mapping service
- Formulation of biodiversity management policies.
- Improved public awareness on Biodiversity issues
- Increase in the number of R&D&I companies related to Biodiversity and Climate Change: a new employment niche.
