Recent aeolian processes in humid Central Europe triggered by climate change and land use pressure

• Applicant: Dr. Miriam Britt Marzen
• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 557083882

Wind erosion and dust emissions have far-reaching impacts on soil fertility and crop security, climate, human health, biogeochemical cycles, soil and landscape development. In addition to mineral components, organic matter, nutrients and pollutants are also affected when dust and fine dust are mobilized from the soil. While the anthropogenic component of the global dust cycle is still largely unassessed, further research aspects are arising from drought periods caused by climate change especially in the humid regions of Europe. In this project, quantity and effects of current (fine) dust dynamics are assessed in relation to two specific areas as potential emission sources: 1. agricultural land, and 2. newly developing dust sources with post-fire sites and dry inland water bodies. The precise recording and mapping of spatially and temporally highly dynamic patterns is the basis for reliable budgeting and modeling of local and regional dust dynamics. The planned integrated measurement and modeling concept works at the interface between the earth's surface and the air layer close to the ground under anthropogenic activity. A wide range of measurement methods, modeling and analysis methods are used on different spatial and temporal scales, with the focus on on-site measurements. On this basis, medium and long-term risk potential can be reliably assessed, and successful climate change adaption measures be developed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants