Colluviation and soil formation as geoindicators to study long-term environmental changes |
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| Authors: | Iraj Emadodin Stefan Reiss Hans Rudolf Bork |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute of Ecosystem Research, Ecology Centre, Christian-Albrechts-University, Olshausenstr. 75, 24118 Kiel, Germany;(2) Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg, Dortustr. 36, 14467 Potsdam, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Soil is a dynamic natural body and fundamental resource. Human activities influence intensively the natural processes in soils.
They modify and accelerate the development of soils. In this investigation, the deposition of colluvial sediments (colluviation)
and soil formation are proposed as geoindicators for a better understanding of long-term environmental changes and environmental
impact assessment. Deposition of colluvial sediments during several time periods and subsequent soil formation under different
land-use systems reflect important aspects on the long-term human interference in the environment. In this study, we hypothesize
that intensive human activities and environmental changes during middle and late Holocene are responsible for a strong modification
of soils in an investigation area in Schleswig–Holstein (Germany). Soil age information together with geomorphological data,
physical, chemical and biological soil properties provide the database which is necessary to study the types and rates of
colluviation and soil formation. After the investigation with a high resolution in time and space, results show that middle
and late Holocene land-use changes and land management are responsible for soil formation in colluvial layers. Properties
of soils and sediments vary intensively from Mesolithic until Modern times. Intensive soil formation took place during periods
of geomorphodynamic stability in dense woodland. Evidence in our investigations shows that colluviation has a strong relation
with decision-making and environmental degradation in the past. This confirms, too, that a geoindicator concept is needed
to understand and to monitor long-term environmental changes and degradation. |
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