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The central theme of this thesis revolves around the impacts of historic charcoal burning on todays soils and soil landscapes in Connecticut, USA. The first chapter gives an overview of the state-of-research regarding the spatial distribution, morphology and chemical- as well as physical soil composition of so called relict charcoal hearth (RCH) landforms. RCHs can be described as unique soil microhabitats in the context of flora and fauna growth. The central research aim of the thesis is led by the question: How and to what extend does the historical charcoal industry control the distribution, development and properties of present day soils in Connecticut, USA? This thesis presents results from two field-campaigns in 2017 and 2018 where 52 RCH sites were surveyed and sampled in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The resulting dataset comprises of more than 1245 soil samples from 154 soil profiles and detailed stratigraphic and morphometrical information for all RCH sites. RCH landforms result in three distinct soils: charcoal rich horizons (Auh horizons), mineral soil horizons dividing multiple Auh horizons horizontally (Cu horizons) and buried former topsoil’s (Ahb horizons) or buried mineral soil horizons (Bwb horizons). Sites on flat terrain (< 4° slope) have mostly one Auh horizon, while sites on steeper terrain (> 4° slope) have mostly two, sometimes up to three Auh horizons. The total volume of sites on slopes is positively correlated to the local slope, i.e. it increases with larger steepness of the terrain. Compared to reference soils, RCH soils are enriched in total soil organic carbon and especially in pyrogenic carbon. Vertical gradients of organic carbon concentrations in Auh and Cu horizons suggest an enrichment of non-pyrogenic organic matter in the topsoil and a vertical translocation of highly aromatic carbon compounds into intermediate and buried soil horizons. Furthermore, Auh horizons have a lower bulk density, a higher crystallinity ratio (Fed/Fet) of pedogenic iron oxides and are enriched in exchangeable elements (Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+) as well as oxalate extractable manganese-oxides compared to reference soils. A deep-learning based automated mapping workflow called ARCHMAGE (Automated Relict Charcoal Hearth Mapping and Geospatial Exploration) was created to gain a continuous, state wide database of RCH sites locations and other relevant geospatial information. This database, in combination with calculation of site specifics RCH volumes and soil carbon stocks, showed that in regions with high RCH site densities, significant additions to local soil organic and especially pyrogenic carbon stocks are present. This effect is scale dependent, with a larger effect size on county scale and below (≤ 1:650,000).
Im Rahmen des von der Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) geförderten Projektes „Erfassung und Bewertung von vorindustriellen Meilerstandorten in Brandenburg – Ein Beitrag zur Bewahrung, Sicherung und nachhaltigen Nutzung einer historischen Kulturlandschaft” (Az 34082/01) wurde ein Lehrpfad im Tauerschen Forst angelegt. Der Köhlerpfad Waldschule Kleinsee übernimmt eine wichtige Funktion bei der Vermittlung von archäologischen und umweltwissenschaftlichen Themen für Bildungseinrichtungen und für die interessierte Öffentlichkeit. Der Begleitband zum Köhlerpfad ergänzt die an vier Stationen des Lehrpfads vermittelten Themen zur „Historischen Köhlerei im Tauerschen Forst“, „Aufbau und Betrieb eines Holzkohlemeilers“, „Relikte der historischen Köhlerei“ und „Historische Köhlerei als Forschungsthema“. Darüber hinaus bietet der Begleitband umfassendes Hintergrundwissen zur historischen Köhlerei im Allgemeinen und zur Köhlerei im Tauerschen Forst im Speziellen.