@inproceedings{SchaafGerwinBadorreck, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Badorreck, Annika}, title = {Twelve years of monitoring the ecological development of a constructed catchment}, series = {9th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behavior BIOGEOMON, Litomysl, Czech Republic, August 20-24, 2017}, booktitle = {9th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behavior BIOGEOMON, Litomysl, Czech Republic, August 20-24, 2017}, editor = {Nov{\´a}k, Martin and Kr{\´a}m, Pavel and Step{\´a}nov{\´a}, Mark{\´e}ta}, publisher = {Czech Geological Survey}, address = {Prague}, pages = {42 -- 43}, abstract = {Landscapes and ecosystems are complex systems with many feedback mechanisms acting between the various abiotic and biotic components. The knowledge about these interacting processes is mainly derived from mature ecosystems. The initial development of ecosystem complexity may involve state transitions following catastrophic shifts, disturbances or transgression of thresholds. The Chicken Creek catchment was constructed in 2005 to study ecosystem development of an initial ecosystem at the landscape scale. The world´s largest constructed catchment has a hillslope-shaped 6 ha size with defined boundary conditions and well-documented inner structures1. For 12 years, we have been monitoring the development of different system compartments2,3. The fast formation of patterns and increasing heterogeneity were challenges for the monitoring program. Starting with a regular 20 × 20 m grid in the initially homogeneous system, monitoring installations were continuously complemented by more pattern and patch oriented measurements in order to catch up with both the spatial and temporal dynamics of the catchment. The monitoring program includes both high-resolution temporal recordings (e.g., groundwater levels, discharge, meteorological data, soil moisture), spatial sampling campaigns (e.g., soil properties) and annual vegetation surveys. In addition, we use drone images to document the site development. The presentation describes the monitoring approach and adaptation with examples from vegetation, soil and hydrological data at different spatial and temporal scales. From the monitoring data we were able to derive different phases during initial development that are characterized by abiotic/biotic feedback mechanisms controlling catchment functioning. Detailed monitoring of the Chicken Creek catchment with known boundary conditions and structure information could help in disentangling general feedback mechanisms between hydrologic, pedogenic, biological and geomorphological processes as well as in gaining a more integrative view of succession and its drivers during the transition from initial, less complex systems to more mature ecosystems. Long-term time series of data are the key for a better understanding of these processes and the effects on ecosystem self-organization and resilience.}, language = {en} } @incollection{HuettlSchneiderGerwin, author = {H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and Schneider, Bernd Uwe and Gerwin, Werner}, title = {Energielandschaften - Chancen zur Landnutzung nach dem Bergbau}, series = {Bergbaufolgelandschaft}, booktitle = {Bergbaufolgelandschaft}, publisher = {Jovis}, address = {Berlin}, isbn = {978-3-86859-043-2}, pages = {168 -- 173}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{SchaafGerwinFreeseetal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Freese, Dirk and B{\"o}hm, Christian and Kr{\"u}mmelbein, Julia}, title = {Initiale {\"O}kosystementwicklung, Rekultivierung und alternative Landnutzung in der Niederlausitzer Bergbaufolgelandschaft}, series = {B{\"o}den verstehen, B{\"o}den nutzen, B{\"o}den fit machen, Jahrestagung der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft, 3. - 9. September 2011}, booktitle = {B{\"o}den verstehen, B{\"o}den nutzen, B{\"o}den fit machen, Jahrestagung der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft, 3. - 9. September 2011}, publisher = {Dt. Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft}, address = {Oldenburg}, pages = {22 -- 27}, language = {de} } @misc{SchaafElmerFischeretal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael and Fischer, Anton and Gerwin, Werner and Nenov, Rossen and Pretzsch, Hans and Zaplata, Markus K.}, title = {Feedbacks between vegetation, surface structures and hydrology during initial development of the artificial catchment 'Chicken Creek'}, series = {Procedia Environmental Sciences}, volume = {19}, journal = {Procedia Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1878-0296}, doi = {10.1016/j.proenv.2013.06.010}, pages = {86 -- 95}, abstract = {Our investigations at the artificial catchment ´Chicken Creek´ in Lusatia/Germany aim to disentangle and understand the feedback mechanisms and interrelationships of processes and their co-development with spatial and temporal structures and patterns by studying this initial, probably less complex ecosystem. Intensive measurements were carried out in the catchment with regard to the development of surface structures, hydrological patterns, and vegetation dynamics. During the first seven years, considerable changes within the catchment were observed. Both internal and external factors could be identified as driving forces for the formation of structures and patterns in the artificial catchment. Initial structures formed by the construction process and initial substrate characteristics were decisive for the distribution and flow of water. External factors like episodic events triggered erosion and dissection during this initial phase, promoted by the low vegetation cover and the unconsolidated sandy substrate. The transformation of the initial geo-system into areas with evolving terrestrial or aquatic characteristics and from a very episodic to a more permanent stream network and discharge, together with the observed vegetation dynamics increased site diversity and heterogeneity with respect to water and nutrient availability and transformation processes compared to the more homogenous conditions at point zero. The processes and feedback mechanisms in the initial development of a new landscape may deviate in rates, intensity and dominance from those known from mature ecosystems. It is therefore crucial to understand these early phases of ecosystem development and to disentangle the increasingly complex interactions between the evolving terrestrial and aquatic, biotic and abiotic compartments of the system. Artificially created catchments could be a suitable tool to study these initial developments at the landscape scale under known, designed and defined boundary conditions.}, language = {en} } @misc{GerwinRepmannSchaafetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Repmann, Frank and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Raab, Thomas}, title = {Bodenver{\"a}nderungen durch Waldbr{\"a}nde - Stoffvorr{\"a}te und Stoffverlagerungen}, series = {Jahrestagung der DBG 2022 "Grenzen {\"u}berwinden, Skalen {\"u}berschreiten" 5. - 8. September 2022 in Trier}, journal = {Jahrestagung der DBG 2022 "Grenzen {\"u}berwinden, Skalen {\"u}berschreiten" 5. - 8. September 2022 in Trier}, pages = {48}, abstract = {Die zur{\"u}ckliegenden trocken-heißen Sommer haben im S{\"u}den Brandenburgs zu zahlreichen Br{\"a}nden in den dominierenden Kiefernw{\"a}ldern gef{\"u}hrt, einige davon mit katastrophalen Ausmaßen. Dazu geh{\"o}ren die extremen Brandereignisse 2018 bei Treuenbrietzen sowie 2019 bei J{\"u}terbog und Lieberose, die zusammen weit {\"u}ber 1000 ha Waldfl{\"a}che zerst{\"o}rt und dabei auch Ver{\"a}nderungen der betroffenen Waldb{\"o}den verursacht haben. Das seit Mai 2020 von der FNR gef{\"o}rderte Verbundvorhaben Pyrophob befasst sich mit den Auswirkungen von Waldbr{\"a}nden im S{\"u}den Brandenburgs auf die Wald{\"o}kosysteme und mit waldbaulichen Maßnahmen, die mittelfristig zu einer Verringerung der Brandanf{\"a}lligkeit der W{\"a}lder beitragen sollen. Im Rahmen des auf eine f{\"u}nfj{\"a}hrige Laufzeit ausgelegten Verbundvorhabens finden bodenkundliche Untersuchungen auf zw{\"o}lf Versuchsfl{\"a}chen bei Treuenbrietzen und J{\"u}terbog statt. An beiden Standorten werden unverbrannte Referenzfl{\"a}chen mit einbezogen. Erg{\"a}nzend konnten bei Lieberose bereits 2019 nur kurz nach dem Brandgeschehen erste Bodenuntersuchungen durchgef{\"u}hrt werden. Die untersuchten Brandfl{\"a}chen bei J{\"u}terbog und Lieberose sind als Totalreservate ausgewiesen, auf denen auch nach dem Brand waldbauliche Maßnahmen vollst{\"a}ndig unterbleiben. Auf den Fl{\"a}chen bei Treuenbrietzen wurden verschiedene Behandlungsvarianten durchgef{\"u}hrt, zu denen auf einem Teil der Fl{\"a}chen die vollst{\"a}ndige Entfernung der abgestorbenen B{\"a}ume geh{\"o}rte, w{\"a}hrend auf anderen Teilfl{\"a}chen Totholz auf der Fl{\"a}che verblieb. Ziel der bodenkundlichen Arbeiten in Pyrophob ist zum einen eine Charakterisierung der direkten Auswirkungen des Brandes auf Humus und Mineralboden hinsichtlich des Stoffbestandes und bodenbiologischer Prozesse. Zum anderen wird der Stoffaustrag aus dem Oberboden erfasst. Der etwaige Einfluss der unterschiedlichen waldbaulichen Vorgehensweise auf die Bodenverh{\"a}ltnisse wird dabei als ein Indikator f{\"u}r die Auswahl geeigneter Maßnahmen ber{\"u}cksichtigt. In den verschiedenen Untersuchungsvarianten des Vorhabens wurden zu diesem Zweck Humus- und Mineralbodenprofile untersucht. Zudem wurden Mischproben aus dem Ober- und Unterboden entnommen und auf ihren Stoffhaushalt hin analysiert. Auf jeder Untersuchungsfl{\"a}che wurden je drei frei dr{\"a}nende Kleinlysimeter in 10 cm Bodentiefe installiert, um die zeitlichen Ver{\"a}nderungen der Sickerwasserzusammensetzung und die durch den Brand initiierten Stoffaustr{\"a}ge aus dem Oberboden zu quantifizieren. Erg{\"a}nzend finden Untersuchungen zu m{\"o}glichen Auswirkungen der Br{\"a}nde auf bodenbiologische Prozesse wie Streuabbau und Stickstoffmineralisation statt.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{RepmannGerwinFreese, author = {Repmann, Frank and Gerwin, Werner and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Nachhaltige Biomasserzeugung zur energetischen Verwertung auf marginalen Standorten in Europa - Bewertung der Standortqualit{\"a}t}, series = {B{\"a}ume in der Land(wirt)schaft - von der Theorie in die Praxis, Tagungsband mit Beitr{\"a}gen des 5. Forums Agroforstsysteme 30.11. bis 01.12.2016 in Senftenberg (OT Brieske)}, booktitle = {B{\"a}ume in der Land(wirt)schaft - von der Theorie in die Praxis, Tagungsband mit Beitr{\"a}gen des 5. Forums Agroforstsysteme 30.11. bis 01.12.2016 in Senftenberg (OT Brieske)}, editor = {B{\"o}hm, Christian}, publisher = {BTU}, address = {Cottbus}, isbn = {978-3-940471-27-7}, pages = {189 -- 195}, abstract = {Der Lehrstuhl Bodenschutz und Rekultivierung der Brandenburgischen Technischen Universit{\"a}t Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU CS) ist Projektpartner in dem von der Europ{\"a}ischen Union im Rahmen des Programms Horizon 2020 gef{\"o}rderten Forschungsprojekts SEEMLA → „Sustainable exploitation of biomass for bioenergy from marginal lands in Europe" → „Nachhaltige Nutzung von Biomasse f{\"u}r Bioenergie von marginalen Standorten in Europa". {\"U}bergeordnetes Ziel des Projektes ist die Ermittlung des Biomassepotenzials, das auf marginalen Standorten innerhalb von Europa nachhaltig produziert und energetisch verwertet werden kann. Die BTU CS hat in diesem Kontext Untersuchungen zur Bewertung der Marginalit{\"a}t von potenziellen Biomasse-Produktionsstandorten in Deutschland, Griechenland und der Ukraine durchgef{\"u}hrt. Zu diesem Zweck wurde das M{\"u}ncheberger Soil-Quality-Rating System (SQR) (M{\"u}ller et al. 2007) eingesetzt.}, language = {de} } @misc{GerwinRepmannGalatsidasetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Repmann, Frank and Galatsidas, Spyridon and Vlachaki, Despoina and Gounaris, Nikos and Baumgarten, Wibke and Volkmann, Christiane and Keramitzis, Dimitrios and Kiourtsis, Fotios and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Assessment and quantification of marginal lands for biomass production in Europe using soil-quality indicators}, series = {SOIL}, volume = {4}, journal = {SOIL}, number = {4}, issn = {2199-398X}, doi = {10.5194/soil-4-267-2018}, pages = {267 -- 290}, abstract = {The cultivation of bioenergy plants in fertile, arable lands increasingly results in new land use conflicts with food production and cannot be considered as sustainable. Marginal lands have been frequently considered as potential alternatives for producing bioenergy from biomass. However, clear definitions and assessment methods for selecting marginal lands and for calculating potentials are still widely missing. The project "SEEMLA" aims at triggering the exploitation of currently underused marginal lands for biomass production for energy purposes. Study sites have been selected in different European countries: Germany, Greece, and Ukraine. The selected sites represent a wide variety of different types of marginal lands. Based on a soil assessment set given by the Muencheberg Soil Quality Rating (SQR) system potentially "marginal" sites have been investigated. The SQR system allows for clearly distinguishing between soils of higher and lower quality. Soils with SQR scores below 40 are regarded as "marginal". They can be classified into different groups with regard to the importance of soil hazard indicators as evaluated by the SQR approach. The calculated SQR scores correlate significantly with biomass yields of bioenergy plants. Further, the SQR method was adapted for use in a GIS study on marginal-land potentials in Europe. Thus, 46\% of the investigated European area could be classified as "marginal" with SQR scores below 40. From that area 22.6\% can be considered as potentially suitable for producing renewable resources after eliminating protected sites or other places not suitable for any kind of land use. Taking the ecological demands of selected bioenergy plants into account it is possible to give first preliminary recommendations for regional crop cultivation. It can be concluded that Europe offers a large potential for renewable resources from marginal sites. However, the implementation into practice is often impeded by missing or varying policies and regulations. A proper implementation needs clear regulations and also incentives for farmers at the European level.}, language = {en} } @misc{HuettlGerwin, author = {H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and Gerwin, Werner}, title = {Landscape Development From Point Zero}, series = {Pacific Science}, volume = {77}, journal = {Pacific Science}, number = {2-3}, issn = {1534-6188}, doi = {10.2984/77.2.11}, pages = {309 -- 325}, abstract = {Severe disturbances of landscapes entail an ecosystem development with the formation of structures and functions which may reach either a new equilibrium state or a state similar to the original ecosystem. Natural disturbances can result from major events such as volcanoes, glaciers, or denudations from landslides. Major disturbance may also evolve from anthropogenic influences such as from mining operations. They all can be considered starting points for the development of ecosystems from 'point zero', which was one central research interest of Dieter Mueller-Dombois. In this paper results from research in the Lusatian post-mining landscapes (Eastern Germany) are presented. Different methodological approaches are discussed. The well-defined 'point zero' of the ecosystem development allows for research on chronosequence designs as well as real time series studies. Chronosequences have been investigated to gain insight into the medium to long-term direction of the development. Real time series are recorded to obtain a more detailed understanding. The paper is structured into three main parts: First, effects of ecosystem disturbances by mining in Lusatia and the initial conditions for restoration are presented. In the following part practical rehabilitation measures and land use options are discussed. Finally, the third part summarizes results of long-term monitoring in an artificial watershed. In conclusion, post-mining landscapes allow for relevant case studies of ecosystem development after severe disturbances. Particularly, the starting point of the initial phase is very well defined which distinguishes these anthropogenically disturbed landscapes from landscapes after natural disturbances.}, language = {en} } @misc{MoghadasSchaafGerwinetal., author = {Moghadas, Davood and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Badorreck, Annika and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {A web-based platform for terrestrial data repository from Chicken Creek catchment}, series = {Earth Science Informatics}, volume = {12}, journal = {Earth Science Informatics}, number = {4}, issn = {1865-0481}, doi = {10.1007/s12145-019-00385-0}, pages = {671 -- 684}, abstract = {Exploring hydrological and ecological processes plays a key role in understanding ecosystem developments. In this respect, the constructed catchment, Chicken Creek, has been established for fundamental and interdisciplinary scientific research. Since 2005, an ongoing monitoring program has been launched to measure hydrological, biological, meteorological, and pedological parameters during the ecological development of the site. This comprehensive and multidisciplinary monitoring program has produced a diverse large data set. Handling such complex data for research purposes can be a cumbersome task. Consequently, we developed an online data portal (https://www.b-tu.de/chicken-creek/apps/datenportal/) to efficiently handle the data from Chicken Creek catchment. The portal was constructed using Shiny package of the R programming language. This platform provides a web-based data repository allowing for data discovery, download, visualization, and analysis. The data include time series of different parameters from installed sensors, data from laboratory analyses, vegetation data, data from sampling campaigns, and aerial photos. This platform demonstrates the relevancy and potentiality of the R-Shiny for constructing an online data portal to be used for multidisciplinary scientific purposes. The Chicken Creek data portal thus provides a comprehensive and reliable database to give scientists a fast and easy access to all collected data.}, language = {en} } @misc{HuettlGerwin, author = {H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and Gerwin, Werner}, title = {Forest rehabilitation after disturbance : introduction}, series = {Ecological Engineering}, volume = {31}, journal = {Ecological Engineering}, number = {1}, issn = {0925-8574}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecoleng.2007.05.002}, pages = {145 -- 146}, language = {en} } @misc{ElmerGerwinSchaafetal., author = {Elmer, Michael and Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Zaplata, Markus K. and Hohberg, Karin and Nenov, Rossen and Bens, Oliver and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Dynamics of initial ecosystem development at the artificial catchment Chicken Creek, Lusatia, Germany}, series = {Environmental Earth Sciences}, volume = {69}, journal = {Environmental Earth Sciences}, number = {2}, issn = {1866-6299}, pages = {491 -- 505}, language = {en} } @book{GerwinSchillemAschetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schillem, Steffi and Asch, Folkard and Bens, Oliver and Bestajovsky, J{\"u}rgen and Bruns, Christian and Gattinger, Andreas and Hattig, Tom and Hoogen, Heiner and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and Raab, Thomas and Rodionov, Andrei and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Schneider, Bernd Uwe and Trimborn, Manfred}, title = {Bodenmelioration und Anbauverfahren f{\"u}r trockenheitsgef{\"a}hrdete Standorte (BAtroS)}, editor = {H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and Gerwin, Werner}, publisher = {FZLB}, address = {Cottbus}, isbn = {978-3-937728-14-8}, pages = {120}, language = {de} } @misc{VesteDominikDimitrovetal., author = {Veste, Maik and Dominik, R. and Dimitrov, M. and Fischer, Annette and Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang}, title = {Novel drone-based system for ecosystem monitoring - application, analysis and interpretation}, series = {EURECO-GFOE 2008, Proceedings}, journal = {EURECO-GFOE 2008, Proceedings}, editor = {Stadler, Jutta and Sch{\"o}ppe, Felix and Frenzel, Mark}, publisher = {Gesellschaft f{\"u}r {\"O}kologie}, address = {Berlin}, isbn = {978-3-00-025522-9}, pages = {S. 809}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GerwinRaabDimitrov, author = {Gerwin, Werner and Raab, Thomas and Dimitrov, M.}, title = {Interactions between surface structures, runoff and erosion in an artificial watershed during the initial ecosystem development}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2009, Vienna, Austria, 19 - 24 April 2009}, booktitle = {EGU General Assembly 2009, Vienna, Austria, 19 - 24 April 2009}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GerwinSchaaf, author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang}, title = {Potentials of marginal lands - spontaneous ecosystem development}, series = {European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {Marginal lands are often considered as unfertile and not productive. They are widely excluded from modern land use by conventional agriculture. Assessment of soil fertility usually shows very low productivity potentials at least for growing traditional crops. However, it can be frequently observed that natural succession at different types of marginal lands leads to very diverse and nonetheless productive ecosystems. Examples can be found at abandoned former industrial or transportation sites which were set aside and not further maintained - and also in post-mining landscapes. In one of the lignite open cast mines of the State of Brandenburg in Eastern Germany a landscape observatory was established in 2005 for observing this natural ecosystem development under marginal site conditions. The site of 6 ha is part of the post-mining landscapes of Lusatia which are often characterized by poor soil conditions and clearly reduced soil fertility. It is named "H{\"u}hnerwasser-Quellgebiet" (Chicken Creek Catchment) after a small stream that is restored again after destruction by the mining operations. It is planned to serve as the headwater of this stream and was left to an unrestricted primary succession. A comprehensive scientific monitoring program is carried out since the start of ecosystem development in 2005. The results offer exemplary insights into the establishment of interaction networks between the developing ecosystem compartments. After 10 years a large biodiversity, expressed by a high number of species, can be found at this site as the result of natural recovery processes. A large number of both tree species and individuals have settled here. Even if no economic use of the site and of the woody biomass produced by these trees is planned, an overall assessment of the biomass production was carried out. The results showed that the biomass production from natural succession without any application of fertilizers etc. is directly comparable with yields from adjacent post-mining sites where trees are grown in agroforestry systems for bioenergy production. This reflects the general potentials of marginal lands with regard to biomass production.}, language = {en} } @misc{BadorreckSchaafGerwinetal., author = {Badorreck, Annika and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Moghadas, Davood and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Long-term monitoring program at the constructed catchment "Chicken Creek"}, series = {Geophysical Research Abstracts}, volume = {21}, journal = {Geophysical Research Abstracts}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Ecosystems are characterized by high complexity and are dynamically changing by abiotic and biotic drivers such as climate, vegetation and soil fauna. Due to feedback processes between compartments, ecosystems show an inherent degree of locally heterogeneous properties and structures at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The constructed catchment "Chicken Creek" represents a unique and outstanding site to study an ecosystem at the initial stage of development. The catchment is located about 20 km south of the city of Cottbus (Germany). The 6-ha catchment area was built in 2005 of coarse-textured quaternary sediments from the adjacent lignite mine and forms a back- and foot-slope that flattens out to a pond. A clay liner of 2-3 m thickness seals the catchment at the bottom, allowing for the formation of a local water body fed by precipitation. After construction the site was left to an unrestricted and unmanaged succession to elucidate the role of structures und processes during the initial establishment of an ecosystem. To study processes of ecosystem development and newly emerging structures the Chicken Creek catchment is equipped with a comprehensive ecological monitoring network. A network of more than 40 wells and two weirs allow for recording groundwater levels, surface runoff and discharge. Meteorological parameters are recorded at three weather stations. Annual aerial photos and vegetation monitoring reveal the floral colonisation of the area. Here, we present the 12 years of diverse and extensive monitoring program which has been launched to measure hydrological, biological, meteorological, and pedological parameters during the ecological development of the catchment area.}, language = {en} } @misc{GerwinSchaaf, author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang}, title = {Dynamic interactions between abiotic and biotic ecosystem compartments - case study Huehnerwasser landscape observatory}, series = {Geophysical Research Abstracts}, volume = {21}, journal = {Geophysical Research Abstracts}, pages = {1}, abstract = {The Huehnerwasser catchment was constructed 2004-2005 in a post-mining landscape in Eastern Germany and was left for an unmanaged primary ecosystem succession. At the same time a comprehensive monitoring program was launched for observing the expected dynamic development of this 6 ha site. During the following years this artificially created system was subject to a series of fast changes with regard to morphology, hydrology or vegetation cover. In summary, these processes resulted in significant alterations of the original, initial system within a short period of time. This development can be divided up into single phases with dominating processes or groups of processes. A first phase was mainly characterized by interactions between abiotic system components such as water and substrate. However, already in this very early developmental phase biotic components in the form of microorganisms were a crucial system forming factor by means of biological soil crusts. This period was quickly replaced by a second phase with dominating hydrological processes. During this phase the local groundwater body of the system developed to its full extent. With the beginning of the present phase biota gained control of the system behavior. Particularly plants and related processes such as water uptake and evapotranspiration are now responsible for new modifications of the system. The Huehnerwasser site offers an example of young and highly dynamic ecological systems. This transitional development of a very young ecosystem contrasts with the behavior of mature ecosystems with slow and less pronounced changes unless the system is disturbed. In this paper we present insights into a unique landscape observatory which illustrates the dynamic nature of natural systems in fast motion.}, language = {en} } @misc{SchaafGerwinHuettl, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {15 years of ecosystem development at Chicken Creek catchment: conceptual framework, surprises and conclusions}, series = {Geophysical Research Abstracts}, volume = {21}, journal = {Geophysical Research Abstracts}, pages = {1}, abstract = {After completion of the construction in 2005 (Gerwin et al. 2009), a major challenge was to develop and install a cross-disciplinary long-term monitoring program for the 6 ha area to record major environmental parameters adapted to the development of the site (Schaaf et al. 2013). During its first 15 years, Chicken Creek showed a very dynamic development (Elmer et al 2013). Whereas the abiotic geosystem of the first 2-3 years was characterized by heavy erosion and sediment transport, primary succession by invading vegetation and the unexpected formation of soil crusts within few years resulted in more biotic-abiotic feedbacks that controlled catchment hydrology. Our observations over a period of 15 years indicate that even minor variations in initial substrate characteristics (e.g. texture) can have lasting impacts on geomorphical, hydrological and biological development like erosion intensity, groundwater levels or establishment of vegetation patterns. The time-series of monitoring data combined with a structure model of the catchment (Gerke et al. 2013) allowed the closure of the water balance by relatively simple calculations of water storage volumes and the estimation of evapotranspiration (Schaaf et al. 2017). From these data three stages of ecosystem development were derived which are characterized by increasing influence of biota and increasing system complexity.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchaafGerwinBadorreck, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Badorreck, Annika}, title = {Adaptation strategies to monitor the catchment dynamics at 'Chicken Creek'}, series = {European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {The Chicken Creek catchment was constructed in 2005 to study ecosystem development of an initial ecosystem at the landscape scale. The site has an area of 6 ha with defined boundary conditions and known inner structures. Since more than 10 years, we are monitoring the unrestricted development of different system compartments. The fast development, the formation of patterns and increasing heterogeneity were challenges for the monitoring program. Starting with a regular 20 x 20 m grid in the initially homogeneous system, monitoring installations were continuously complemented by more pattern and patch oriented measurements in order to catch up with both the spatial and temporal dynamics of the catchment. The monitoring program includes both high-resolution temporal recordings (e.g. groundwater levels, discharge, meteorological data, soil moisture), spatial sampling campaigns (e.g. soil properties) and annual vegetation surveys. In addition, we use drone images to document the site development. The presentation describes the monitoring approach and adaptation with examples from vegetation, soil and hydrological data at different spatial and temporal scales.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GerwinSchaafVesteetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Veste, Maik and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {The artificial catchment 'Chicken Creek' ('H{\"u}hnerwasser') as a tool for understanding the interactions of processes and structures of initial ecosystem development}, series = {6th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behaviour BIOGEOMON 2009}, booktitle = {6th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behaviour BIOGEOMON 2009}, editor = {Ukonmaanaho, Liisa and Nieminen, Tiina Maileena and Starr, Michael}, publisher = {Finnish Forest Research Institute}, address = {Vantaa, Finland}, isbn = {978-951-40-2177-0}, pages = {S. 332}, language = {en} }