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Land use and soil erosion history at Wilgartswiesen, Palatinate forest, Germany
Research Project Information
Holocene soils and sediments with remnants of 2 old charcoal kilns
Field excursion to an investigated side valley of the Queich river
Project coordination:
Markus Dotterweich
Runtime:
06.2008 - 09.2009
Summary
The research project focuses on the natural and anthropogenic landscape devlopment in the Holocene. The area is located in a small side valley of the Queich river near the village Wilgartswiesen in the Palatinate forest.
The methods include geomorpic analyses of soils and sediments. Additionally, integrating historical data about land use, weather, and climate events as well as archaeological data will allow the interpreation of the natural and anthropoegenic effects and feedbacks leading to the current situtation.
The first results show, that the oldest sediments were deposited during the Late Glacial in the Bølling/Allerød phase. The main phase of human impact took place not before the early modern times. Wood clearences becuase of charring enabled intensive soil erosion during heavy rainstroms.
Cooperation
- Dr. Rainer Schreg, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz
- Jun.-Prof. Oliver Nelle, Ecology Centre, University of Kiel
- Dr. Siegfried Schloß, Jockrim
- Dr. Jutta Meurers-Balke, Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Universität Köln
- Damien Ertlen, Faculté de Géographie et d'Aménagement, Universite Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg
Investigation of the alluvial fan in the area of the today's sewage plant