@misc{BayuzickGuarinBenavidesetal., author = {Bayuzick, Samuel and Guarin, Daniel and Benavides, Jhony and Bonhage, Alexander and Hirsch, Florian and Diefenbach, Duane and McDill, Marc and Raab, Thomas and Drohan, Patrick J.}, title = {Soil and geomorphic patterns within relict charcoal hearths could represent unique ecosystem niches}, series = {Geomorphology}, volume = {422}, journal = {Geomorphology}, issn = {1872-695X}, doi = {10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108525}, pages = {1 -- 16}, abstract = {Hearths used for 19th and 20th century charcoal manufacturing have been found to have unique plant communities or to produce unique growth characteristics for some species but not others. Given known differences in hearth morphology, within hearth physical and chemical differences may exist and result in unique ecologic niches. We examined soil stratigraphy across 8 relict charcoal hearths (RCH) and control soils on different landforms near a 19th century furnace complex (Greenwood Furnace, northcentral Appalachians USA). Soils were analyzed for particle size, total and trace elements, and fertility. Platform creation resulted in soils from upslope RCH positions mixed with subsurface materials on the downslope side to create a stabilized platform. The thin, uniform thickness of charcoal surface horizons (Ac) indicate that RCHs were not used more than once for charcoal manufacturing or that charcoal was always removed very efficiently. While rubification of soil or rock from high heat was seen in 6 of 8 sites sampled, it was not extensive across sampled areas of any one hearth, which indicate hearth use may not be frequent, hot enough, or spatially disparate. Soil fertility characteristics change within RCHs but also by landscape position. Downslope RCH positions are enriched in some parameters compared to control soils (total C, Mehlich 3 Mg, Ca, and Aquia Regia digestion Mn) and that enrichment often is from the surface downward. Downslope enrichment within RCH soils may have occurred from charcoal and released ions, slope erosion and accumulation, or transportation of constructed materials during RCH creation. Landscape position may accentuate or mute soil chemistry differences. Greenwood Furnace RCHs have unique patterns of chemistry, which could result in unique niches for flora and maybe fauna within RCH. Future research could more closely investigate whether hearths support unique species assemblages and how they may play a role in enhancing today's forest biodiversity.}, language = {en} } @misc{HirschSchneiderMaatenTheunissenetal., author = {Hirsch, Florian and Schneider, Anna and Maaten-Theunissen, Marieke van der and Maaten, Ernst van der and R{\"a}biger, Christin and Raab, Alexandra and Raab, Thomas}, title = {Soil properties and tree growth at medieval ridge and furrow sites in Brandenburg, northeastern Germany}, series = {Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science}, volume = {186}, journal = {Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science}, number = {4}, issn = {1436-8730}, doi = {10.1002/jpln.202200345}, pages = {417 -- 427}, abstract = {Background Ridge and furrow (RIFU) systems and associated soils are a widespread legacy of medieval agriculture, are archives of historical land use, and might affect recent ecosystems. Open questions about RIFU formation and potential legacy effects still exist, especially related to physical soil properties. Aims Our aims were (1) to characterize the soil properties of RIFU soils and (2) to compare the drought sensitivity and the growth resistance in extremely dry years of trees growing on ridges and furrows, respectively. Methods We studied soil physical (bulk density, saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, and texture) and chemical (soil pH, soil organic matter, and nitrogen content) properties and the climate sensitivity of tree growth on RIFU systems for three study sites in Prignitz, Germany. Results RIFU systems showed a high spatial heterogeneity of soil stratigraphy due to ridge construction and increased accumulation of soil moisture and organic matter in furrows due to post-abandonment pedogenesis. Slight spatial differences in soil physical properties were found, with increased air capacity in ridge soils and higher available water contents in furrow soils. No differences in drought sensitivity were observed for trees growing on ridges and furrows, except for a wet site, where trees in furrows showed a higher sensitivity. Resistance in dry years tended to be similar or increase from furrows to ridges. Conclusions The results reflect a spatial differentiation of stratigraphy and post-abandonment pedogenesis on abandoned RIFU systems and suggest an adaption to different moisture conditions through RIFU construction. Differences in drought sensitivity of tree growth with relative land surface could only be detected for one of the three sites, where trees were found to be less drought sensitive on ridges.}, language = {en} }