TY - CHAP A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Hinz, Christoph A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. T1 - Monitoring of Ecosystem Development at the Constructed Catchment Chicken Creek T2 - TERENO International Conference 2014, From Observation to Prediction in Terrestrial Systems, 29 September to 2 October 2014, Book of Abstracts N2 - 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. Y1 - 2014 UR - http://www.tereno-conference2014.de/tereno-conference/EN/download_book_of_abstracts/_node.html SP - P2-12 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Zaplata, Markus K. A1 - Hinz, Christoph T1 - A Critical Zone Observatory for detecting ecosystem transition: the constructed catchment Chicken Creek (Germany) T2 - Procedia Earth and Planetary Science N2 - 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. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2014.08.009 VL - 10 SP - 46 EP - 51 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Elmer, Michael A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Hinz, Christoph T1 - The constructed catchment ’Chicken Creek’ – a landscape observatory to analyze processes and feedback mechanisms during initial ecosystem development T2 - European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2014, Vienna, Austria, 27 April – 02 May 2014 N2 - 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. Y1 - 2014 UR - http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2014/EGU2014-6042.pdf N1 - EGU2014-6042-1 PB - European Geophysical Society CY - Katlenburg-Lindau ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hinz, Christoph A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Gerwin, Werner T1 - Competing feedbacks drive state transitions during initial catchment evolution: Examples from post-mining landscape and ecosystems evolution T2 - European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2014, Vienna, Austria, 27 April – 02 May 2014 N2 - Within the context of severely disturbed landscapes with little or no ecological memory, such as post-mining landscapes, we propose a simple framework that explains the catchment evolution as a result of competing feedbacks influenced by the initial conditions and the atmospheric drivers such as rainfall intermittency and intensity. The first stage of the evolution is dominated by abiotic feedbacks triggered by rainfall and subsequent fluid flow causing particle mobilisation on the surface and in the subsurface leading to flow concentration or in some instances to densification of surface and subsurface substrates. Subsequently, abiotic-biotic feedbacks start to compete in the sense that biological activity generally stabilizes substrate by preventing particle mobilisation and hence contribute to converting the substrate to a habitat. We suggest that these competing feedbacks may generate alternative stable states in particular under semi-arid and arid climatic conditions, while in temperate often energy limited environments biological process “outcompete” abiotic processes leading to a stable state, in particular from the water balance point of view for comparable geomorphic situations. Y1 - 2014 UR - http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2014/EGU2014-12609.pdf N1 - EGU2014-12609 PB - European Geophysical Society CY - Katlenburg-Lindau ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Hinz, Christoph A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Zaplata, Markus K. A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. T1 - The role of feedback mechanisms in the initial development of the constructed catchment Chicken Creek T2 - European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2015, Vienna, Austria, 13 April - 17 May 2015 KW - initial development Y1 - 2015 UR - http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2015/EGU2015-8664.pdf N1 - EGU2015-8664 PB - European Geophysical Society CY - Katlenburg-Lindau ER - TY - GEN A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Elmer, Michael A1 - Fischer, Anton A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Nenov, Rossen A1 - Pretzsch, Hans A1 - Seifert, Stefan A1 - Winter, Susanne A1 - Zaplata, Markus K. T1 - Monitoring the formation of structures and patterns during initial development of an artificial catchment T2 - Environmental Monitoring and Assessment N2 - 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. KW - ecosystem development Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2998-x SN - 0167-6369 VL - Vol. 185 IS - 7 SP - 5965 EP - 5986 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Bens, Oliver A1 - Fischer, Anton A1 - Gerke, Horst H. A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Grünewald, Uwe A1 - Holländer, Hartmut M. A1 - Kögel-Knabner, Ingrid A1 - Mutz, Michael A1 - Schloter, Michael A1 - Schulin, Rainer A1 - Veste, Maik A1 - Winter, Susanne A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. T1 - Patterns and processes of initial terrestrial-ecosystem development T2 - Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science N2 - Ecosystems are characterized as complex systems with abiotic and biotic processes interacting between the various components that have evolved over long-term periods. Most ecosystem studies so far have been carried out in mature systems. Only limited knowledge exists on the very initial phase of ecosystem development. Concepts on the development of ecosystems are often based on assumptions and extrapolations with respect to structure–process interactions in the initial stage. To characterize the effect of this initial phase on structure and functioning of ecosystems in later stages, it is necessary to disentangle the close interaction of spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem structural assemblages with processes of ecosystem development. The study of initial, less complex systems could help to better identify and characterize coupled patterns and processes. This paper gives an overview of concepts for the initial development of different ecosystem compartments and identifies open questions and research gaps. The artificial catchment site “Chicken Creek” is introduced as a new research approach to investigate these patterns and processes of initial ecosystem development under defined boundary conditions. This approach allows to integrate the relevant processes with related pattern and structure development over temporal and spatial scales and to derive thresholds and stages in state and functioning of ecosystems at the catchment level. KW - soils KW - pedogenesis KW - vegetation succession KW - microbial succession KW - artificial catchment Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201000158 SN - 1522-2624 VL - 174 IS - 2 SP - 229 EP - 239 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Elmer, Michael A1 - Hinz, Christoph T1 - The constructed catchment Chicken Creek as Critical Zone Observatory under transition T2 - European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2014, Vienna, Austria, 27 April – 02 May 2014 N2 - 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. Y1 - 2014 UR - http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2014/EGU2014-6248.pdf N1 - EGU2014-6248 PB - European Geophysical Society CY - Katlenburg-Lindau ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hinz, Christoph A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Elmer, Michael A1 - Flühler, Hannes A1 - Holländer, Hartmut M. A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. T1 - State transitions in the artificial catchment Huehnerwasser (Chicken Creek): Ecosystems development 8 years after initialization : abstract T2 - Soil-mediated Drivers of Coupled Biogeochemical and Hydrological Processes across Scales, AGU Chapman Conference Biosphere II, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 21-24 October 2013 Y1 - 2013 UR - http://chapman.agu.org/soil-mediated/files/2013/10/AGU-CC13SD-3.pdf SP - S. 34 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Veste, Maik A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Biemelt, Detlef A1 - Fischer, Annette A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang ED - Ukonmaanaho, Liisa ED - Nieminen, Tiina Maileena ED - Starr, Michael T1 - Monitoring of ecosystem patterns and processes in an artificial catchment in Lusatia, Germany T2 - 6th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behaviour BIOGEOMON 2009 Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www.metla.fi/julkaisut/workingpapers/2009/mwp128.pdf SN - 978-951-40-2177-0 SP - S. 84 PB - Finnish Forest Research Institute CY - Vantaa, Finland ER - TY - BOOK A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Biemelt, Detlef A1 - Elmer, Michael A1 - Maurer, Thomas A1 - Schneider, Anna T1 - The artificial catchment Hühnerwasser (Chicken Creek): Construction and initial properties Y1 - 2010 UR - http://opus.kobv.de/btu/volltexte/2011/2072/pdf/Ecol_Dev_Vol_1_2010.pdf PB - FZLB CY - Cottbus ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. A1 - Kögel-Knabner, Ingrid A1 - Zeyer, Josef A1 - Munch, Jean Charles A1 - Grünewald, Uwe A1 - Pretzsch, Hans A1 - Schaaf, Wolfgang A1 - Gerwin, Werner A1 - Veste, Maik T1 - Structures and processes of the initial ecosystem development phase in an artificial water catchment T2 - Plant Life in an Extreme and Changing Environment, Book of Abstracts T2 - Pflanzenleben in extremer und sich ändernder Umwelt Y1 - 2008 UR - http://www.desertconsult.de/PDF/initial_ecosystem2008.pdf N1 - Meeting of the Specialist Groups "Desert Ecology" and "Experimental Ecology" of the Society of Ecology (GfÖ)in Cooperation with German Society of Limnology (DGL) Tharandt, Germany, March 31 – April 2, 2008 SP - 89 EP - 90 ER -