Soil degradation intensity of loess landscapes by different land use systems in Central Europe.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jürgen Heinrich
• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 261673702

Loess areas contain the most productive soils in Central Europe. Several soil degradation processes are widespread because of a high vulnerability of these landscapes under intensive land use. The study aims to support the development of a sustainable land management by comparing soil degradation intensities in two loess areas characterized by different land use systems. Therefore, the geoecological status of soils will be analyzed on different scales. Significant degradation processes will be pointed out. Based on the results the comparison and evaluation of the different land use systems can be done. The research area in Poland is characterized by a small scale, low input, peasant farming system, whereas the Saxonian study area is dominated by large scale, intensive modern farming. Traditional, small scale farming systems are usually seen to be examples for sustainable land use. To enable a comparison of these agricultural land use systems edaphic ecological factors will be analyzed using geochemical parameters and the erosional status. Further important indicators are humus quality and plant nutrition content which are sensitive to the current land use systems. Extensive GIS analyzes have already been done. On this basis the results of the soil analyses will be interpreted for different scales. Basing on the results specific measures for soil protection will be advised relating to the particular land use system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants