@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} } @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} } @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} } @misc{SchaafElmerFischeretal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael and Fischer, Anton and Gerwin, Werner and Nenov, Rossen and Pretzsch, Hans and Seifert, Stefan and Winter, Susanne and Zaplata, Markus K.}, title = {Monitoring the formation of structures and patterns during initial development of an artificial catchment}, series = {Environmental Monitoring and Assessment}, volume = {Vol. 185}, journal = {Environmental Monitoring and Assessment}, number = {7}, issn = {0167-6369}, doi = {10.1007/s10661-012-2998-x}, pages = {5965 -- 5986}, abstract = {The objective of this paper is to present observations, results from monitoring measurements, and preliminary conclusions about the development of patterns and structures during the first 5 years of development of an artificial catchment starting from point zero. We discuss the high relevance of initial system traits and external events for the system development and draw conclusions for further research. These investigations as part of a Collaborative Research Center, 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 an initial, probably less complex ecosystem. Therefore, intensive measurements were carried out in the catchment with regard to the development of surface structures, hydrological patterns, vegetation dynamics, water chemistry, and element budgets. During the first 5 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 geosystem 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 with 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. Long-term monitoring of initial ecosystems may provide important data and parameters on processes and the crucial role of spatial and temporal structures and patterns to solve these problems. 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} } @inproceedings{GerwinSchaafElmeretal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael and Hinz, Christoph}, title = {The constructed catchment Chicken Creek as Critical Zone Observatory under transition}, 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 = {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. 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 evolving compartments during ecosystem development. The catchment is extensively instrumented since 2005 in order to detect transition stages of the ecosystem. Data recorded with a high spatial and temporal resolution include ydrological, geomorphological, pedological, limnological as well as biological parameters.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HinzGerwinSchaafetal., author = {Hinz, Christoph and Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael and Fl{\"u}hler, Hannes and Holl{\"a}nder, Hartmut M. and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {State transitions in the artificial catchment Huehnerwasser (Chicken Creek): Ecosystems development 8 years after initialization : abstract}, series = {Soil-mediated Drivers of Coupled Biogeochemical and Hydrological Processes across Scales, AGU Chapman Conference Biosphere II, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 21-24 October 2013}, booktitle = {Soil-mediated Drivers of Coupled Biogeochemical and Hydrological Processes across Scales, AGU Chapman Conference Biosphere II, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 21-24 October 2013}, pages = {S. 34}, language = {en} } @book{GerwinSchaafBiemeltetal., author = {Gerwin, Werner and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Elmer, Michael and Maurer, Thomas and Schneider, Anna}, title = {The artificial catchment H{\"u}hnerwasser (Chicken Creek): Construction and initial properties}, publisher = {FZLB}, address = {Cottbus}, pages = {56}, language = {en} } @incollection{SchaafElmer, author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael}, title = {Soil solution and water chemistry}, series = {The artificial catchment Chicken Creek - initial ecosystem development 2005-2010}, booktitle = {The artificial catchment Chicken Creek - initial ecosystem development 2005-2010}, editor = {Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Gerwin, Werner and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, publisher = {FZLB}, address = {Cottbus}, pages = {55 -- 66}, language = {en} } @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{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} } @incollection{ElmerSchaafBiemeltetal., author = {Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Nenov, Rossen and Gerwin, Werner}, title = {Introduction}, series = {The artificial catchment Chicken Creek - initial ecosystem development 2005-2010}, booktitle = {The artificial catchment Chicken Creek - initial ecosystem development 2005-2010}, editor = {Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Gerwin, Werner and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, publisher = {FZLB}, address = {Cottbus}, pages = {1 -- 10}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{SchaafElmerGerwinetal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Elmer, Michael and Gerwin, Werner and Fischer, Anton and Zaplata, Markus K. and Nenov, Rossen}, title = {Feedbacks between structures and processes during initial ecosystem development in an artificial catchment}, series = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2013, Vienna, Austria, 07 - 12 April 2013}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2013, Vienna, Austria, 07 - 12 April 2013}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {We studied the role of strutures and processes and their feedbacks during initial ecosystem development in the artificial catchment Chicken Creek. 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} } @incollection{ElmerBiemeltGerwinetal., author = {Elmer, Michael and Biemelt, Detlef and Gerwin, Werner and Hoberg, Karin and Kleeberg, Andreas and Lessmann, Dieter and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Schneider, Anna and Zaplata, Markus K. and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Conclusions}, series = {The artificial catchment Chicken Creek - initial ecosystem development 2005-2010}, booktitle = {The artificial catchment Chicken Creek - initial ecosystem development 2005-2010}, editor = {Elmer, Michael and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Biemelt, Detlef and Gerwin, Werner and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, publisher = {FZLB}, address = {Cottbus}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-23730}, pages = {145 -- 153}, language = {en} }