Application of the site comparison method (vermost) to assess the potential erosion risk as a basis to examine instruments of environmental policy - the example of Brandenburg

• Published in: Archiv für Acker- und Pflanzenbau und Bodenkunde Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 259 - 271
• Main Authors: Deumlich, Detlef, Funk, R, Kiesel, J, Reuter, H I, Thiere, J, Volker, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2004
• Subjects: agronomy; Environmental policy; Erosion; Germany, Brandenburg; Q1; Q3; Risk assessment; Soil; subsidies
• ISSN: 0365-0340; 1476-3567
• DOI: 10.1080/03650340410001663828

This paper presents a comparative method (VERMOST) to evaluate complex site conditions at the level of a federal state (Brandenburg) and at different areal units. The methodology uses primary site conditions and provides the possibility to objectively compare and judge different ecological questions. Objects with heterogeneous content are pooled in comparison groups. Considering the main site characteristics allows a goal-oriented allocation of subsidies. The use of VERMOST is demonstrated for the wind and water erosion risk assessment across different scales from a federal state down to a parcel of land. The 'parcel' aggregation-level proves to be useful to assess the erosion risk. Larger scales are less useful in the assessment of subsidies policy with regard to erosion risk. A moving-window-technique combined with VERMOST is demonstrated to be suitable for comparing and assessing regional aspects more objectively compared with data administratively linked.