Video clips
Video clips to explain the importance of drylands, what sudden ecosystem shifts are, what processes happen in the soil and plants, how vulnerable ecosystems can be better managed and how science is being used to increase our understanding.
CASCADiS project
The EU funded H2020 project CASCADE investigated and analyzed a range of dryland ecosystems in southern Europe to obtain a better understanding of sudden shifts in drylands that may lead to major losses in biodiversity and concomitant ecosystem services [17:36]
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What is a tipping point?
A short animation showing how a tipping point can be reached in a grazed semi-arid ecosystem and what the consequences are. [5:04]
Understanding and managing shifts in dryland ecosystems
Dr Violette Geissen explains the approach and objectives of CASCADE [8:39]
Finding solutions in CASCADE for ecosystem degradation in drylands
Dr Susana Batista explains how scientists try to find solutions for prevention and restoration of ecosystem drylands in the CASCADE project. Field experiments try to find the limit of ecosystem recovery after artificial overgrazing, using computer models is a way to find overgrazing limits and best strategies for ecosystem recovery [6:57]
Why are drylands important?
Dr Jan Jacob Keizer explains why drylands are important and what particular threats they face [5:21]
What are sudden ecosystem shifts?
Dr Ramon Vallejo explains what are sudden ecosystem shifts [4.11]
What processes happen in an ecosystem during a sudden shift?
Dr Susana Bautista explains what processes happen in an ecosystem during a sudden shift [2:59]
Computer modelling for understanding tipping points in ecosystems
The CASCADE modelling group explains how computer modelling can be used to understand tipping points in ecosystems [13:27]
How can we manage vulnerable ecosystems better?
Dr Gudrun Schwilch explains how we can manage vulnerable dryland ecosystems better [5:14]
A policy forum (held in Matera, Italy in February 2017) involving international, national and selected local stakeholders from the study sites explored how CASCADE's research could be input to national and international land management agendas.
Interview with Pandi Zdruli
Dr Pandi Zdruli is from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari [2:02]
Interview with Victor Castillo
Dr Victor Castillo is from the UNCCD Secretariat: Science, Technology and Implementation [3:39]