Open Access

In Sachsen-Anhalt wurden bislang nur wenige Meilerplätze im Rahmen von Forschungs- oder Rettungsgrabungen archäologisch und anthrakologisch untersucht. Im Harz bilden die ehemaligen Meilerstandorte neben den bergbaulichen Relikten und Hohlwegen eine der zahlenmäßig größten Gruppen an noch obertägig erkennbaren Bodendenkmalen bzw. Kulturlandschaftselementen. Die Kohlplätze in bestimmten Regionen des Ostharzes systematisch zu untersuchen, stellt ein Desiderat der Forschung dar. Im Jahr 2018 wurden deshalb zwei unterschiedliche Meilertypen im Südharz – ein Hangmeiler bei Pölsfeld und ein Ringmeiler bei Obersdorf – im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären Kooperationsprojektes zwischen dem Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt und dem Lehrstuhl Geopedologie und Landschaftsentwicklung der Brandenburgischen Technischen Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg in Sondageschnitten gegraben sowie geopedologisch und anthrakologisch untersucht. Mittels Radiokohlenstoffdatierungen können die beiden Fundstellen chronologisch und funktional im Kontext der Wald- und Montangeschichte des Ostharzes eingeordnet werden. Der ältere Kohlenmeiler in ebener Lage bei Obersdorf repräsentiert die für den Harz typischen Ringmeiler mit umlaufendem Wall. Im Liegenden fanden sich hier mehrere zuvor im Gelände so eindeutig nicht erkennbare eingetiefte Fahrspuren, die zusammen mit verschiedenen archäologischen Funden Hinweise auf eine wiederholte Befahrung und Nutzung des Gebietes liefern. Der jüngere Meilerplatz bei Pölsfeld wurde am Hang auf einer hergerichteten Terrasse angelegt und war – sicherlich aufgrund des mühsameren Anlegens an der Böschung – in seinen Dimensionen deutlich kleiner. Die Befunde zu Bodenstratigrafie und -eigenschaften entsprechen insgesamt denen anderer Meilerstandorte und spiegeln die typischen Unterschiede zwischen flachem Gelände und Hanglagen wider. Während der Bodenaufbau am Hangmeilerplatz Pölsfeld Anzeichen auf eine mehrphasige Nutzung gibt, sind am Ringmeiler Obersdorf in flachem Gelände keine derartigen Hinweise vorhanden. Die kohlehaltigen Meilersubstratschichten zeichnen sich im Vergleich zu einem Referenzprofil und zu den unterliegenden Böden durch deutlich erhöhte Gehalte an organischer Substanz aus, regelhafte Abweichungen von pH-Werten und Textur sind aber nicht erkennbar.

Past agricultural activity has left lasting legacies in many present-day forest landscapes. Former field systems (FFS) feature characteristically modified surface morphology, soil stratigraphy and properties. The soils and landforms of FFS are both archives of land use history and elements of present-day forest ecosystems. In this study, we approached both aspects in a geopedological analysis of FFS. For six study sites across different geologic and geomorphic settings in forests of Upper Palatinate, Germany, we characterized soil stratigraphy and properties in profiles and spatial variability of near-surface soil properties along transects; comparing FFS with unaffected forest soils. FFS at the study sites mainly stand out as lynchet systems, with ubiquitously discernible relict ploughing horizons. Soils in lynchet systems are characterized by truncated profiles over most parts of the flattened slope areas and by sediment re-accumulation upslope of lynchets. Their stratigraphy reflects a gradually proceeding formation by tillage erosion. For some sites, a multi-phase formation of lynchets is indicated by notable differences between the depth of soil profile truncation, the thickness of accumulated sediments and lynchet height. Tillage-induced erosion and re-sedimentation cause high heterogeneity of soil stratigraphy in the lynchet systems, but the effect is counteracted in the topmost soil decimeters by ploughing homogenization. Legacies of agriculture depend on original soil conditions and the land use history of the study sites, with differences between clay- and nutrient-rich and sandy, nutrient-poor soils. The results affirm that accounting for historical land use is relevant for accurately assessing soil properties in forest areas.

Various forms of past land use result in characteristic alterations of surface morphology and soils, which are often well preserved in recent forest areas. The interpretation of LiDAR Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) can greatly enhance our insights into the geoarchaeological record of woodlands. We examined legacies of past land use in forested areas of Upper Palatinate, Germany. Based on LIDAR DEMs, we mapped land use legacy landforms (LULLs) that occur frequently in the study area, that is, former agricultural field systems, road remnants, abandoned ponds, relict charcoal hearths, mining legacies, and indicators of anthropogenically induced soil erosion. The corresponding soils were characterized in six selected study areas. Results reveal that 17% of the forested area is affected by LULLs, with the largest areas covered by former field systems and roads. Characteristic LULL associations reflect past land use systems, e.g., past agricultural landscapes or historic charcoal production areas. Most mapped LULLs date to the late medieval to modern period. The examined LULL soils show characteristic stratigraphy and properties. Our results underscore the enduring impact of past land use on present woodland ecosystems and emphasize the importance of considering forest areas in the analysis of past human–landscape interactions.

In recent years, wildfires have affected relatively large areas of managed forests in Central Europe. Often, forestry uses intensive post‐fire management practices, which can have negative effects on various components of the ecosystem. Fire ecology has been largely neglected in Central Europe and strategies for appropriate management and successful reforestation of burned areas are urgently needed. We have studied the effects of different post‐fire forest management treatments (including different levels of salvage logging and soil disturbances such as ploughing or raking) on soil parameters (phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, potassium, magnesium, pH), microclimate (temperatures, vapour pressure deficit (VPD), heat and drought stress), deadwood, regrowth (biomass of tree regeneration, herb and bryophyte layer) and species richness (plants and saproxylic beetles) 3 years after wildfire in a Central European Scots pine forest (northeast Germany). Intensive forest management led to more unfavourable abiotic conditions, including stronger temperature extremes and elevated VPD. Consequently, vegetation on these sites experienced increased heat and drought stress and reduced nutrient availability. The biomass of the herb and bryophyte layer, as well as the species richness of plants and saproxylic beetles, was lower on completely salvage logged sites. Tree biomass recovered on all sites, including sites with intensive forest management. Tree regeneration in our study area was mainly driven by the recolonization of the pioneer species European aspen (Populus tremula), which can tolerate a wide range of site conditions. Synthesis and applications. We recommend avoiding intensive management on burned sites, such as complete salvage logging or ploughing, as this creates extreme site conditions that could inhibit the regeneration of more sensitive tree species and result in a long‐term legacy of degradation. In addition, herb and bryophyte layers, as well as the species richness of vegetation and saproxylic beetles, which are important components of forest ecosystems, are negatively affected by intense forest management.

Slot pits are uniquely shaped pits linked to prehistoric settlements in Central Europe, some dating back to the Mesolithic. They are typically long, deep, and narrow, yet their exact function remains unclear despite extensive research. This study aims to synthesize previous archaeological and pedological findings regarding slot pits and refine hypotheses about their function and age. Samples were collected from slot pits, other pit types, and surrounding loess at an excavation site in Straubing-Lerchenhaid, Bavaria, covering periods from the Linear Pottery Culture to the Iron Age. Pedological analysis indicated that the slot pits were not filled with material from nearby chernozemic horizons, and that no measured element was enriched in slot pits but not other pit types. Radiometric dating of bulk sediment samples, charcoal and animal remains, suggested ages ranging from the End Mesolithic to the End Neolithic. Although biomarker analyses showed traces of human faeces, they were not significant enough to suggest that the pits were primarily used as latrines, which was supported by the lack of elevated phosphorus levels in pit samples. A combination of these findings leads to the hypothesis that slot pits may have been utilized in the fat tanning process.