PlaNet - International research Network on Plant-based solutions to mitigate geohazards
The International research network - PlaNet is a multidisciplinary network that will gather experts in the field of nature-based solutions (NBS); solutions based on natural processes and ecosystems. PlaNet will focus on NBS that use vegetation for mitigating rainfall-induced geohazards currently increasing due to climate change.
The network will create and promote interactions between experts with different scientific backgrounds to share research on how vegetation can be used to mitigate rainfall-induced landslides and erosion, while at the same time support local ecosystems.
PlaNet's core partners are 5 research organisations and 7 universities from Norway, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands and Austria.
The main goals of the network are to: share research on how vegetation-based solutions can be used to mitigate climate changes; influence policy nationally, as well as internationally preparing the grounds for a European policy to be adopted by future research programmes; foster multidisciplinary and international research-exchange and facilitate participation of industry and entrepreneurs.
These goals will be pursued through joint activities such as webinars, virtual workshops and virtual tours of case study sites where vegetation-based solutions had been implemented.
The measurable outputs of PlaNet will be position papers on vegetation-based solutions, a EU COST-ACTION proposal, and articles in national and international professional magazines to ensure knowledge transfer.
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The International research network - PlaNet – will establish a new interdisciplinary and international network on plant-soil-atmosphere interaction, with focus on vegetation for mitigating climate-induced geohazards. Climate change increases the occurrence of climate-induced geohazards, such as rainfall-induced shallow landslides, floods and erosion, especially along stream banks. This result in both physical damage and loss of valuable property and soil resources. The use of vegetation on instable slopes or along stream banks is one example of Nature-based Solutions that can mitigate climate-induced geohazards, due to vegetation's role at the soil-atmosphere interface. Nature-based solutions can also provide several co-benefits, such as restore natural behaviour and enhance biodiversity, and through that provide Ecosystem Services (ES). PlaNet will bridge the gap for much needed interdisciplinary research to document the effects of vegetation in hazard prone-areas in a measurable and quantifiable manner, and to quantify vegetation's collateral effects on the ecosystem.
PlaNet aims to:
• create the first highly multidisciplinary network for sharing research on the mechanisms whereby vegetation help mitigate climate-related geo-hazards, now increasing due to climate change.
• create and promote interactions of scientists with different backgrounds, including plant ecologists, landslide hydrologists and geotechnical engineers, with a focus on rainfall-induced shallow landslides and erosion;
• create a ‘Think-Tank’ to pioneer innovative lines of research on vegetation-based solutions to mitigate climate-induced hazard, and to influence policy at the national level through a close collaboration with Norwegian directorates;
• foster multidisciplinary thinking between Norwegian and international experts and facilitate the participation of industry and new vegetation-based entrepreneurs for Nature-based Solutions.
