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Former field systems (FFS) in sloped forest areas are often discernible by a characteristic morphology with flattened slope areas and intermediary ridges formed by tillage erosion and colluvial redeposition. Soils of such lynchet field systems feature modified stratigraphy and properties and constitute a memory of past land use. At the same time, the legacies of past agriculture affect recent forest ecosystems. High-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) allow to identify lynchets over large areas and open up new opportunities to study the FFS. Within our research on different land use legacy features in forest areas, we study FFS in Northeastern Bavaria (Germany) in a geopedological approach, combining large-scale mapping and spatial analysis with the description and analysis of soil properties for specific sites.
Lynchet systems (and other remnants of pre-industrial FFS) in recent forests were mapped from LIDAR DEMs for an area of 2045 km2 (972 km2 forest area). The results show more than 100 km2 of FFS, mostly appearing as lynchet systems. Their spatial distribution patterns differ within the study area, mainly depending on parent material and landform.
Soil stratigraphy and properties were studied for FFS and reference positions in six study sites, combining a characterization of principal soil profiles and an assessment of spatial soil property variations. The FFS soils are characterized by truncated profiles over most parts of the flattened slope areas and accumulation of colluvium upslope of lynchet risers. The depth of soil profile truncation and height of lynchet risers differ, mainly related to slope and erodibility of the initial soils. Stratigraphy of the lynchet soils indicates a gradually proceeding formation by tillage erosion. First results of soil property analyses show that carbon and nitrogen contents differ between FFS and reference soils and are more homogeneous within the FFS. Furthermore, physical properties of the FFS soils (bulk density, pore size distribution, hydraulic conductivity) are modified compared to unaffected forest soils through profile truncation and accumulation of colluvium. Overall, the results show that the legacy effects of past agriculture affect large fractions of recent forest areas, and can be of different quality depending on lithology of the soils’ parent material and land use history.
The occurrence, soil parameters and genesis of rubified soils (‘Fuchserden’) of northeastern Germany
(2019)
LiDAR-based high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) can now provide a centimetre-accurate image of the Earth's surface. Soil science is still in the early stages of realising how fundamentally this new technology will change our understanding of the formation, properties and functions of the pedosphere and in particular the uppermost part of it, which usually represents A horizons. With the help of high-resolution DEMs, it is possible to identify and classify small topographic features that were previously not considered in soil mapping. Therefore, precise landform analyses will be crucial in assessing variations in soil horizonation and soil stratigraphy and will provide the framework for a new perspective in Geopedology that truly integrates Geomorphology and Pedology from pedon to soil landscapes. In the digital domain, this geopedological approach is growing rapidly by using artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically identify small landforms and visualise the heterogeneity of diverse pedological information. We present the results of the study of different types of relict anthropogenic landforms (RALs) and highlight their characteristics and differences compared to natural, undisturbed soils. The origins of these relict features can vary greatly, as can their distribution, morphology and age. The analysis of high-resolution relief models in Europe and the USA shows that morphological features can be found, particularly in forest that were created in pre-industrial times. Settlement structures (e.g. stone walls, burial sites) or linear relief forms created by soil cultivation (e.g. field terraces, furrow systems) are common. Relict Charcoal Hearths (RCHs), which originate from historic charcoal burning, are usually small circular platforms surrounded by pits or ditches, but can still cover a considerable part of the area. A relatively complex geomorphology can be observed in historic mining areas, which may include different landform types such as mine shafts and spoil heaps, resulting in a very heterogeneous pedological mosaic. To summarise, all studies reveal a high variation of soil properties controlled by small relief structures. Pedology should take this more into account in the future and improve knowledge of the impact of RALs on the pedosphere and other components of ecosystems.