@misc{SchaafGerwinGruenewaldetal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Gr{\"u}newald, Uwe and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and K{\"o}gel-Knabner, Ingrid and Munch, Jean Charles}, title = {Patterns and processes of initial ecosystem development in an artificial catchment}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchaafGerwinVesteetal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Veste, Maik and Biemelt, Detlef and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Monitoring program at the artificial catchment "chicken creek", Germany}, language = {en} } @incollection{BiemeltSchaafMazur, author = {Biemelt, Detlef and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Mazur, Kai}, title = {Hydrology and water quality}, language = {en} } @misc{SchaafBiemeltHuettl, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Initial development of the artificial catchment 'Chicken Creek' - monitoring and survey 2005-2008}, publisher = {Cottbus : Research Center Landscape Development and Mining Landscapes (FZLB)}, issn = {1867-7800}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ElmerSchaafBiemelt, author = {Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef}, title = {Environmental monitoring at the Chicken Creek catchment}, series = {Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development, 1st International Conference associated with 4th Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), 20-24 September 2010, Cottbus, Germany, proceedings}, booktitle = {Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development, 1st International Conference associated with 4th Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), 20-24 September 2010, Cottbus, Germany, proceedings}, publisher = {BTU}, address = {Cottbus}, pages = {S. 27}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{NenovVogtElmeretal., author = {Nenov, Rossen and Vogt, Silvio and Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef}, title = {Monitoring installations at the Chicken Creek catchment}, series = {Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development, 1st International Conference associated with 4th Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), 20-24 September 2010, Cottbus, Germany, proceedings}, booktitle = {Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development, 1st International Conference associated with 4th Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), 20-24 September 2010, Cottbus, Germany, proceedings}, publisher = {BTU}, address = {Cottbus}, pages = {S. 84}, language = {en} } @misc{SchaafBiemeltFischer, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Fischer, Annette}, title = {Formation of spatial structures and patterns during the first five years of the artificial catchment ´Chicken Creek´}, series = {Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development, 1st International Conference associated with 4th Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), 20-24 September 2010, Cottbus, Germany, proceedings}, journal = {Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development, 1st International Conference associated with 4th Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), 20-24 September 2010, Cottbus, Germany, proceedings}, publisher = {BTU}, address = {Cottbus}, pages = {S. 104}, language = {en} } @misc{GerwinSchaafBiemeltetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Winter, S. and Fischer, Annette and Veste, Maik and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Overview and first results of ecological monitoring at the artificial watershed Chicken Creek (Germany)}, series = {Physics and Chemistry of the Earth}, volume = {36}, journal = {Physics and Chemistry of the Earth}, number = {1-4}, issn = {1873-5193}, pages = {61 -- 73}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PohleHuSchaafetal., author = {Pohle, Ina and Hu, Yuzhu and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Maurer, Thomas and Hinz, Christoph}, title = {Hydrogeochemische Signaturen der Einzugsgebietsentwicklung - die Rolle der Calcium- und Sulfatfreisetzung im H{\"u}hnerwassereinzugsgebiet}, series = {Abstract-Sammlung zu Posterbeitr{\"a}gen, eingereicht zum Tag der Hydrologie in Trier 2017, 23. 03. - 24. 03. 2017}, booktitle = {Abstract-Sammlung zu Posterbeitr{\"a}gen, eingereicht zum Tag der Hydrologie in Trier 2017, 23. 03. - 24. 03. 2017}, pages = {S. 5}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{HinzSchaafGerwinetal., author = {Hinz, Christoph and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Pohle, Ina}, title = {Entwicklung eines transienten hydrologischen Systems: Zustands{\"a}nderungen des k{\"u}nstlichen Einzugsgebiets H{\"u}hnerwasser}, series = {Abstract-Sammlung zu Posterbeitr{\"a}gen, eingereicht zum Tag der Hydrologie in Trier 2017, 23. 03. - 24. 03. 2017}, booktitle = {Abstract-Sammlung zu Posterbeitr{\"a}gen, eingereicht zum Tag der Hydrologie in Trier 2017, 23. 03. - 24. 03. 2017}, pages = {S. 1}, language = {de} } @incollection{SchaafWeckerHuettl, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Wecker, Birgit and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Ver{\"a}nderungen der Oberbodeneigenschaften von Waldb{\"o}den im nordostdeutschen Tiefland druch langj{\"a}hrige atmogene Stoffakkumulation}, series = {Landschaft im Wandel - {\"O}kologie im Wandel}, booktitle = {Landschaft im Wandel - {\"O}kologie im Wandel}, editor = {Petschel, Tim}, publisher = {Verl. Die Werkstatt}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, isbn = {3-89533-379-4}, pages = {S. 211}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{ZaplataKollmannUlrichetal., author = {Zaplata, Markus K. and Kollmann, Johannes and Ulrich, Werner and Winter, Susanne and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael and Gerwin, Werner and Fischer, Anton}, title = {Cover balance or degree of autocorrelation? It is the same and integratively traces pattern formation during succession}, series = {Gf{\"O} 43rd Annual Meeting, Building bridges in ecology, linking systems, scales and disciplines, September 9 to 13, 2013, Potsdam, Germany}, booktitle = {Gf{\"O} 43rd Annual Meeting, Building bridges in ecology, linking systems, scales and disciplines, September 9 to 13, 2013, Potsdam, Germany}, editor = {Jeltsch, Florian and Joshi, Jasmin}, pages = {228 -- 229}, abstract = {It is widely acknowledged that increasing complexity is a key attribute of ecosystem genesis. This is particularly true for primary succession on homogeneous substrates. However, a mechanistic understanding of spatial colonisation and pattern formation during primary succession has not been achieved yet. Thus, we studied this topic for 7 years within an experimental catchment (6 ha) established in the post-mining landscape of eastern Germany. Equidistant permanent plots (120 plots {\`a} 25m²) allowed for autocorrelation analyses, and thus tracing the spatial development of species cover performance. For each species tested, the "cover balance" first increased due to colonization, while decreasing in the course of succession. Drawing a benefit from these temporal trends, we suggested cover balance levels revealed by autocorrelation analyses to best indicate well-defined phases in primary succession at spatial entities. Hence, with the help of this spatial approach, terrestrial succession can be understood now much better at the most general level of the hierarchy provided by Pickett et al. (1987). In accordance with these authors, at subordinated levels of the causal hierarchy differential species performance might get collectively explained by contributing processes or conditions, such as ecophysiological traits, life history strategies, competition and allelopathy of the occurring plant species. Further research is needed to understand their relative contributions to the pattern formation.}, language = {en} } @article{WeckerSchaafHuettl, author = {Wecker, Birgit and Schaaf, Wolfgang and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Einfluss kohliger Substanz auf den Stoffaustrag gest{\"o}rter Standorte}, language = {de} } @article{SchaafNeumannHuettl, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Neumann, C. and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Actual cation exchange capacity in lignite containing pyritic mine spoils.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchaafGerwinKoegelKnabneretal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and K{\"o}gel-Knabner, Ingrid and Zeyer, Josef and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {The artificial catchment 'Chicken Creek': A research site to study the development of biogeochemical cycles in initial ecosystems}, 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{SchaafPohleMaureretal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Pohle, Ina and Maurer, Thomas and Gerwin, Werner and Hinz, Christoph and Badorreck, Annika}, title = {Water balance dynamics of the constructed Chicken Creek catchment as influenced by 12 years of ecological development}, series = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2018, Vienna, Austria}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2018, Vienna, Austria}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {Experimental catchments with well-known boundaries and characteristics may contribute valuable data to hydrological, critical zone and landscape evolution research. One of the most well-established and largest constructed catchments is the Chicken Creek catchment (6 ha area including a 0.4 ha pond, Brandenburg, Germany) representing an initial ecosystem undergoing a highly dynamic ecological development starting from clearly defined starting conditions. The water balance dynamics of the catchment was calculated using a simple mass balance approach to reveal the impact of ecological development during 12 years. Water storage in the catchment was calculated from a 3D-model of groundwater volumes, soil moisture measurements and water level recordings of the pond. The catchment water balance equation was resolved for evapotranspiration, the only part that was not measured directly. Due to the known boundary conditions and the inner structure of the catchment, we were able to quantify the different storage compartments and their role in hydrologic response. Our results indicate that for small catchments with a highly dynamic ecological development like the Chicken Creek, the knowledge about saturated and unsaturated storage volumes enables a good estimate and closure of the water balance using a rather simple approach, at least in annual resolution. We found a significant relationship between vegetation cover in the catchment and calculated ET. Time series of meteorological, hydrological, soil and vegetation data over 12 years enabled us to characterize the transient development of the catchment and to evaluate the effect of different feedback mechanisms on catchment hydrology. The dataset from the Chicken Creek catchment indicate at least three phases in ecosystem development, where initial abiotic feedbacks (e.g. erosion) were followed by more and more biotic controls (e.g. biological soil crusts, vegetation succession and growth). Data from Chicken Creek in high spatial and temporal resolution provide a valuable database underlining the high importance of abiotic/biotic feedback effects that change the hydrologic functioning and response of the catchment more than the water balance itself revealed and thus have to be included in catchment models.}, language = {en} } @misc{SchaafPohleMaureretal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Pohle, Ina and Maurer, Thomas and Gerwin, Werner and Hinz, Christoph and Badorreck, Annika}, title = {Water Balance Dynamics during Ten Years of Ecological Development at Chicken Creek Catchment}, series = {Vadose Zone Journal}, volume = {16}, journal = {Vadose Zone Journal}, number = {11}, issn = {1539-1663}, doi = {10.2136/vzj2017.04.0074}, pages = {14}, abstract = {Difficulties in quantitatively closing the water balance of catchments arise when upscaling point measurements and from insufficient knowledge of the physical boundaries, inner structure, and storage volumes of natural catchments. In addition, there is a strong need for generalizing the relationship between catchment characteristics and hydrological response. Therefore, experimental catchments with well-known boundaries and conditions could contribute valuable data to hydrological and critical zone research. One of the most well-established and largest constructed catchments is the Chicken Creek catchment (6 ha including a pond, Brandenburg, Germany) representing an initial ecosystem undergoing highly dynamic ecological development starting from clearly defined starting conditions. Directly after completion of the construction, extensive monitoring equipment was installed to track the ecosystem development and to capture the spatiotemporal variability of meteorological, hydrological, ecological, and soil conditions and vegetation succession. In this study, we focused on the water balance dynamics of the Chicken Creek catchment for the period 2005 to 2015 as influenced by ecological development. Water storage in the catchment was calculated from a three-dimensional model of groundwater volumes, soil moisture measurements, and water level recordings of the pond. The catchment water balance equation was resolved for evapotranspiration, the only part that was not measured directly. Time series of meteorological, hydrological, and ecological data for 10 yr enabled us to characterize the transient development of the catchment and to evaluate the effect of different feedback mechanisms on catchment hydrology.}, language = {en} } @incollection{SchaafHinzGerwinetal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Hinz, Christoph and Gerwin, Werner and Zaplata, Markus K. and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Ecosystem Development in the Constructed Catchment "Chicken Creek"}, series = {Hydrology of Artificial and Controlled Experiments}, booktitle = {Hydrology of Artificial and Controlled Experiments}, editor = {Liu, Jiu-Fu and Gu, Wei-Zu}, publisher = {Intech Open}, address = {London}, isbn = {978-1-78923-559-3}, pages = {75 -- 93}, 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. We propose a conceptual framework of feedback processes in early states of ecosystem development affected by spatiotemporal environmental drivers. To test this concept, we used 10-year time series of hydrological, biological, geomorphological, and soil data from the constructed catchment Chicken Creek." The 6ha site was left to unrestricted development since 2005 and was intensively monitored. The data showed a very rapid development of the site with an increasing complexity and heterogeneity. In the first years, stochastic signals like the initial substrate conditions and external drivers like extreme weather events were the most important factors resulting in abiotic/abiotic feedback mechanisms shaping the morphology of the site and creating site diversity. Initial abiotic feedback mechanisms between water and substrate were soon followed by abiotic/biotic feedbacks between biological soil crusts, invading vegetation, geomorphology, and hydrology resulting in state transitions of catchment functioning.}, language = {en} } @misc{UlrichZaplataWinteretal., author = {Ulrich, Werner and Zaplata, Markus K. and Winter, Susanne and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Fischer, Anton and Soliveres, Santiago and Gotelli, Nicholas J.}, title = {Species interactions and random dispersal rather than habitat filtering drive community assembly during early plant succession}, series = {Oikos}, volume = {125}, journal = {Oikos}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1111/oik.02658}, pages = {698 -- 707}, abstract = {Theory on plant succession predicts a temporal increase in the complexity of spatial community structure and of competitive interactions: initially random occurrences of early colonising species shift towards spatially and competitively structured plant associations in later successional stages. Here we use long-term data on early plant succession in a German post mining area to disentangle the importance of random colonisation, habitat filtering, and competition on the temporal and spatial development of plant community structure. We used species co-occurrence analysis and a recently developed method for assessing competitive strength and hierarchies (transitive versus intransitive competitive orders) in multispecies communities. We found that species turnover decreased through time within interaction neighbourhoods, but increased through time outside interaction neighbourhoods. Successional change did not lead to modular community structure. After accounting for species richness effects, the strength of competitive interactions and the proportion of transitive competitive hierarchies increased through time. Although effects of habitat filtering were weak, random colonization and subsequent competitive interactions had strong effects on community structure. Because competitive strength and transitivity were poorly correlated with soil characteristics, there was little evidence for context dependent competitive strength associated with intransitive competitive hierarchies.}, language = {en} } @misc{GerwinBadorreckSchaafetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Badorreck, Annika and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Hinz, Christoph and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Das H{\"u}hnerwasser-Einzugsgebiet in SO-Brandenburg im {\"U}bergang von einem abiotischen zu einem biotisch kontrollierten Wasserhaushalt}, series = {Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung}, volume = {62}, journal = {Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung}, number = {3}, issn = {0012-0235}, doi = {10.5675/HyWa_2018,3_1}, pages = {134 -- 144}, abstract = {Das H{\"u}hnerwasser-Einzugsgebiet ist ein 6 ha großes, k{\"u}nstlich geschaffenes Wassereinzugsgebiet im Tagebau Welzow-S{\"u}d in S{\"u}dost-Brandenburg. Das Zweischichtsystem mit einer Ton- und einer dar{\"u}ber liegenden Sandschicht wurde im Jahr 2005 fertiggestellt und ohne weitere Rekultivierungsmaßnahmen f{\"u}r Forschungszwecke bereitgestellt. Es l{\"a}sst exemplarisch die Untersuchung der initialen Landschaftsgenese zu. Insbesondere die Entwicklung von einem zun{\"a}chst noch abiotisch kontrollierten hin zu einem biotisch gesteuerten System l{\"a}sst sich hier beobachten. In diesem Beitrag werden beispielhaft einige in diesem Kontext aufgetretene Interaktionen zwischen abiotischen und biotischen Strukturelementen vorgestellt. Dies sind zum einen Erosions- und Sedimentationsprozesse und ihre Wechselwirkungen mit der Vegetation. Zum anderen wird der Einfluss der Vegetation auf die Grundwasserentwicklung dargestellt.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{PohleHuSchaafetal., author = {Pohle, Ina and Hu, Yuzhu and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Hinz, Christoph}, title = {Hydrogeochemical signatures of catchment evolution - the role of calcium and sulphate release in the constructed H{\"u}hnerwasser ("Chicken Creek") catchment}, series = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {The constructed H{\"u}hnerwasser ("Chicken Creek") catchment is an ecohydrological system in an initial state of development. The catchment with an area of 6 ha was built up from quaternary sediments in the post-mining landscape of Lusatia in Eastern Germany and serves as a critical zone observatory for detecting ecosystem transition. The soil substrate is characterized as sands to loamy sands with low carbonate contents but significant amounts of gypsum in the sediments of the catchment. The catchment undergoes a strong transition from an abiotic system in the initial years to a system with growing influence of biota. Concerning the hydrology, a regime shift from surface runoff to groundwater flow dominated processes is significant. It is of interest, whether the catchment transition is also reflected by hydrogeochemical indicators. We assume gypsum dissolution as dominant process at the catchment scale. In order to investigate the hydrogeochemical evolution of the catchment we analysed electric conductivity, calcium and sulphate concentrations and pH-values of biweekly composite samples from 2007-2013 of the atmospheric deposition, of runoff and soil water. The two observation points in the flowing water represent surface runoff and groundwater discharge respectively. Soil water has been analysed at four soil pits in three depths. The monitoring data were provided by the Research Platform Chicken Creek. From the macroscopic data analysis we found an exponential decay of the electric conductivity, calcium and sulphate concentrations in the flowing waters and some of the soil pits. In the flowing water, the decrease slope of the electric conductivity and the calcium and sulphate concentrations is almost identical. The calcium / sulphate molar ratio as an indicator of gypsum dissolution is almost equal to one up to 2010, afterwards more calcium than sulphate is released. The pH-values in the flowing and soil water are generally higher than in the atmospheric deposition, they do show variabilites but no trend behaviour. The time series analyses showed that the interannual variability of the hydrogeochemical properties is less pronounced in the first years of ecosystem development than in the later years. This leads to the conclusion, that in the first years, gypsum dissolution is the major source for calcium and sulphate in the soil and the flowing waters. The increasing interannual variability and changes in the calcium / sulphate ratio in the later years might be interpreted as hydrogeochemical response to the development of vegetation and acidification due to the development of the rhizosphere.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GerwinSchaafHinzetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Hinz, Christoph and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Monitoring of Ecosystem Development at the Constructed Catchment Chicken Creek}, series = {TERENO International Conference 2014, From Observation to Prediction in Terrestrial Systems, 29 September to 2 October 2014, Book of Abstracts}, booktitle = {TERENO International Conference 2014, From Observation to Prediction in Terrestrial Systems, 29 September to 2 October 2014, Book of Abstracts}, pages = {P2-12}, abstract = {The constructed catchment Chicken Creek was established in 2005 as an experimental landscape laboratory for ecosystem research. The 6 ha area with clearly defined horizontal as well as vertical boundary conditions was left for an unrestricted primary succession. The developing ecosystem offers the opportunity to study most processes occurring at the interface of bio-, pedo-, geo- and hydrosphere. Particularly interactions and feedbacks between different evolving compartments as well as the establishment of ecosystem functions and services can be investigated during the ongoing ecosystem development. The catchment is extensively instrumented since 2005 in order to detect transition stages of the ecosystem. Comprehensive data recorded with a high spatial and temporal resolution include hydrological, geomorphological, pedological, limnological as well as biological parameters. This site offers the unique situation of an early stage ecosystem with highly dynamic system properties. The first years of development were characterized by a fast formation of geomorphological structures due to massive erosion processes at the initially non-vegetated surface. Hydrological processes led to the establishment of a local groundwater body within 5 years. In the following years the influence of biological structures like vegetation patterns gained an increasing importance. Feedbacks between developing vegetation and e.g. hydrological features became more and more dominant. As a result, different phases of ecosystem development could be distinguished until now. This observatory offers manifold possibilities to identify and disentangle complex interactions between ecosystem compartments in situ under natural conditions. The originally low complexity of the system is growing with time facilitating the identification of influences of newly developing structures on ecosystem functions. Thus, it is possible to study effects of small-scale processes on the whole system at the landscape scale. In addition, the highly dynamic initial system properties allow the observation of multifaceted changes of ecosystem properties and functions within short periods of time.}, language = {en} } @misc{HuettlGerwinSchaafetal., author = {H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F. and Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Zaplata, Markus K. and Hinz, Christoph}, title = {A Critical Zone Observatory for detecting ecosystem transition: the constructed catchment Chicken Creek (Germany)}, series = {Procedia Earth and Planetary Science}, volume = {10}, journal = {Procedia Earth and Planetary Science}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeps.2014.08.009}, pages = {46 -- 51}, abstract = {The constructed catchment Chicken Creek was established in 2005 as an experimental landscape laboratory for ecosystem research. The 6 ha area with clearly defined horizontal as well as vertical boundary conditions was left for natural primary succession. All Critical Zone elements are represented at this site, which allows the study of most processes occurring at the interface of bio-, pedo-, geo- and hydrosphere. It provides outstanding opportunities for investigating interactions and feedbacks between different co-evolving compartments. The catchment has been extensively instrumented since 2005. Data are recorded with a high spatial and temporal resolution and include hydrological, geomorphological, pedological, limnological as well as biological parameters in order to detect transition states of the ecosystem. In contrast to other Critical Zone Observatories, this site offers the unique situation of an early stage ecosystem with highly dynamic properties. The first years of development were characterized by a fast formation of geomorphological structures due to massive erosion of the initially non-vegetated surface. Hydrological processes led to the establishment of a local groundwater body within 5 years. In the following years the influence of biological structures like vegetation patterns gained increasing importance. Feedbacks between developing vegetation and e.g. hydrological features became more and more apparent. As a result, different phases of ecosystem development have been distinguished.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ElmerSchaafGerwinetal., author = {Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Hinz, Christoph}, title = {The constructed catchment 'Chicken Creek' - a landscape observatory to analyze processes and feedback mechanisms during initial ecosystem development}, series = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2014, Vienna, Austria, 27 April - 02 May 2014}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2014, Vienna, Austria, 27 April - 02 May 2014}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {We investigated the initial development of the landscape observatory 'Chicken Creek', Germany, an artificial catchment with well known boundary conditions and inner structures (Gerwin et al., 2011). Over a period of nine years, we observed considerable changes within the site (Elmer et al., 2013). Both internal and external factors could be identified as driving forces for the formation of structures and patterns in the catchment. Over time, secondary structures and patterns evolved and became more and more important. Invading biota and vegetation succession initialized feedback mechanisms resulting in pattern and habitat formation as well as in increased differentiation, heterogeneity and complexity that are typical characteristics of ecosystems (Schaaf et al., 2013). 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.}, language = {en} }