EGU2014-1852.pdf

Human-induced landscape dynamics in South Brandenburg have been studied through geoarchives, focusing on the Lusatian mining district where lignite opencast mines have operated for decades. Research aims to reconstruct Late Quaternary landscape development, distinguishing natural from anthropogenic forcing and processes. Findings include direct legacies of historical farming, such as hook ploughs and ridge and furrow systems, which have been documented and identified using Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data. These systems are sometimes found buried under aeolian sediments, indicating a causal connection between farming and wind erosion. The study concludes that anthropogenic factors, such as overuse or not adapted agricultural practice, temporal edaphic drought, less vegetation or wind breaks, and weather anomalies, have contributed to wind erosion in the region, both historically and in modern times.