A3.2 - Report on Monitoring Model Definition.pdf

The restoration efforts within degraded sites in southern European countries have been studied and tracked by the NL4DL LIFE project using both field data that is currently available and data collected by satellite. The complexity and heterogeneity of the degradation processes among pilot sites brought to light concerns and the need for standardization and harmonization of ecological/physical indicator, particularly those obtained through satellite data, especially when used as proxies of land degradation. The project's goal has been to offer reference methods that, once the degradation processes have been identified, can be used to track how well restoration efforts based on nature-based solutions (NBS) are working on degraded lands. The procedure for medium and long-term monitoring of ecosystem restoration interventions (such as NBS) in degraded drylands, using remote sensing techniques beyond the usual typical shortterm in-field campaigns, serves to assess the effectiveness of restoration activities and improve sustainable land management. The operational tool presented in this deliverable called Newlife 4 Drylands Web Tool, starting from the degradation processes, identifies sustainable solutions (NBS) along within indices/indicators related to each degradation processes to monitor the effectiveness of these solutions. Using the datasets referring to the pilot sites of the project as an experimental test, an attempt was made to connect on the basis of a reconnaissance among the experts in the field within the project, the variables at play between the identification of the degradation process, its measurement and the choice of the best restoration action, which in turn will have to be measured and monitored by the same methods, in order to ensure the effective success of restoration through nature-based solutions and the limitation, containment or stopping of the degradation phenomenon(s) affecting that area. This tool aims to reduce the knowledge effort, subjective analysis and helps in prioritizing options.