Objectives
The main objective is to develop an operational monitoring system for European glacial areas. This objective is achieved by 1) evaluating and utilising the full potential of airborne and satellite remote sensing for operational glacier monitoring, 2) designing a monitoring system which can utilise different types of earth observation data, and 3) constructing a regional glaciological database.
The emphasis is on regional and local studies of glaciological regime, spatio-temporal change of glaciers and related environmental trends in study sites. The main objective consists of the following sub-objectives:
- Identification of requirements for a long-term glacier monitoring system and argumentation of the concept of monitoring.
- Definition of in-situ data requirements for validation of remote sensing data, and refinement of fieldwork methods.
- Development of remote sensing methods for extraction of glacier parameters and enhanced methods for integration of in-situ and remote sensing data.
- Detection, measurement, classification and interpretation of glacier changes at regional and local level.
- Conclusion on the kinds and origin of detected glacier changes, assessment of the main tendencies in the evolution of glacial and foreglacial areas, and expertise on perspectives and risks of socio-economic operations in mountain areas.
- Implementation of the monitoring system. A system for long-term glacier monitoring requires that earth observation, in-situ and model data are integrated in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The system must handle both the 3-D spatial dimension and the temporal dimension.
- Integration, demonstration, dissemination and implementation of results for use as source material in the compilation and revision of glaciological, hydrological and other maps, planning hydro-power engineering improvements, conducting long-term economic projects and environmental protection in European glacial areas.
The main social objective is to attract general public attention to economic, environmental and demographic problems in areas adjacent to glaciers of Europe, and to promote the efficient solution to those problems on the basis of regular and safe engineering activities and hydro-power supply in the region, and the improvement of living conditions for the local population.