@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{KwakChangNaethetal., author = {Kwak, Jin-Hyeob and Chang, Scott X. and Naeth, M. Anne and Schaaf, Wolfgang}, title = {Coarse woody debris effects on greenhouse gas emission rates depend on cover soil type in oil sands reclamation}, series = {Applied Soil Ecology}, volume = {100}, journal = {Applied Soil Ecology}, issn = {0929-1393}, doi = {10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.12.006}, pages = {124 -- 134}, abstract = {Peat mineral soil mix (PMM) and forest floor mineral soil mix (FMM) are cover soils commonly used for land reclamation, while coarse woody debris (CWD) can be added to create structural diversity and provide an additional source of organic matter. However, the effect of cover soil type and CWD on emission rates of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in reclaimed oil sands soils has not been studied. Soil respiration, CH₄ uptake and N₂O emission rates were studied in a factorial experiment consisting of 2 cover soils (FMM vs PMM) × 2 sampling distances from the CWD (near vs away from CWD). Greenhouse gas emission rates were measured in July, August, and September 2012 and 2013 using static chambers. Soil respiration rates were greater in FMM than in PMM regardless of the distance from CWD at each sampling time (p < 0.05). Rates ranged from 461 to 1148 and 293 to 677 mg CO2 m⁻²h⁻¹for FMM and PMM, respectively, in 2012, and from 355 to 1318 and 235 to 700 mg CO2 m⁻²h⁻¹, respectively, in 2013. The CWD increased soil respiration by 22-33\% in FMM but not in PMM. Soil respiration rates were positively related to microbial biomass carbon (p = 0.004) and nitrogen (p < 0.001). Soil respiration rates decreased from July to September in 2012 and 2013, and were positively related to soil temperature (p < 0.01) but not with soil water content measured at 5 cm depth. Methane uptake rates were greater in FMM (0.026-0.037) than in PMM (0.015-0.028 mg CH₄⁻²h⁻¹. The CWD increased CH4 uptake rates only in July and August 2012 in FMM, and were negatively related to soil water content (p < 0.001) but not to soil temperature. Nitrous oxide emission rates (0.001-0.016 mg N₂O m⁻²h⁻¹) were not affected by either cover soil type or CWD. Global warming potential of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O effluxes was greater in FMM than in PMM and near CWD than away from CWD, especially in FMM. Our study demonstrates that applying CWD for oil sands reclamation increases organic matter decomposition (increased CO₂ evolution), driven by the effect on microbial populations. Results from this study provide support to findings in earlier studies that CWD application benefits vegetation establishment through enhancing soil processes in reclaimed oil sands lands.}, language = {en} } @misc{ChabbiSebiloRumpeletal., author = {Chabbi, Abad and Sebilo, Mathieu and Rumpel, Cornelia and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Mariotti, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Origin of Nitrogen in Reforested Lignite-Rich Mine Soils Revealed by Stable Isotope Analysis}, series = {Environmental Science \& Technology}, volume = {42}, journal = {Environmental Science \& Technology}, number = {8}, issn = {1520-5851}, doi = {10.1021/es702377k}, pages = {2787 -- 2792}, language = {en} } @misc{PapritzDuemigZimmermannetal., author = {Papritz, Andreas and D{\"u}mig, Alexander and Zimmermann, Claudia and Gerke, Horst H. and Felderer, Bernd and K{\"o}gel-Knabner, Ingrid and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Schulin, Rainer}, title = {Uncertainty of variance component estimates in nested sampling: a case study on the field-scale spatial variability of a restored soil}, series = {European Journal of Soil Science}, volume = {62}, journal = {European Journal of Soil Science}, number = {3}, issn = {1365-2389}, pages = {479 -- 495}, 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{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} }