Integrative Application of Traditional and Cutting-edge Techniques to Reconstruct Holocene Earth Surface Processes and Landscape Dynamics – A Case Study from the North German Lowland

Thomas A Raab1, Alexandra Raab2, Melanie Takla2, Alexander Nicolay2, Florian Hirsch1, Anna Schneider1 and Horst Rösler3, (1)Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg, Chair of Geopedology and Landscape Development, Cottbus, Germany, (2)Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany, (3)Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum, Zossen, Germany

Contact First Author: Thomas A Raab; raab@tu-cottbus.de

Previously Published Material: Some findings were recently accepted for publication inArchaeological and Anthropological SciencesRaab, T. et al.: Opencast mines in South Brandenburg (Germany) - Archives for Late Quaternary landscape development and human-induced land use changes We will highlight important results from this publication and use these highligths to show the integrative application of our techniques. Moreover the most recent findings will be presented (oral presentation is preferred)

Abstract ID#: 33260

 

English Abstract:
This study outlines the opportunities to reconstruct Holocene landscape dynamics in active opencast lignite mines in southern Brandenburg (Germany). Studies on extensive outcrops that address geomorphology, pedology and archaeology provide unique insights into human-induced environmental changes. Our approach uses a variety of traditional and cutting-edge techniques to characterize small-scale landforms (high-resolution DEMs by micro-drone and LiDAR), to analyze soils and substrate properties in the field (GPR, ERT, geomagnetics, Field Portable XRF and XRD) and to provide chronological information (OSL, 14C, tree-ring dating). This approach is combined with a GIS for data integration. We present the most recent results and review important findings from the last several years. Studies conducted in the opencast mines focus on soil development and Late Quaternary geomorphodynamics and as well as past land use and the legacy of agriculture and woodland use.

Our results regarding the human-induced geomorphodynamics are similar to those in other regions in Central Europe, but we also observe regional differences caused by the local setting, e.g., intensification of soil erosion coinciding with the expansion of farming of cultivated lands in the Slavic Middle Ages. By analyzing LiDAR data the largest area of historical charcoal production in the Northern European Lowland (NEL) has been revealed.

We are clearly only beginning to understand the massive dimensions of charcoal production in the region and the impact on late Holocene geomorphodynamics. The usage of new high-resolution imagery is essential to identify small-scale anthropogenic landforms hidden in the landscape. Future work will consist of developing and improving our integrative approach. However, comprehensive ground truth data provided by the archaeological prospections in the open-cast mines are an excellent basis for GIS-based analyses of high-resolution ALS data and geomorphological research.

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