Anthropogenic impact on the development of landscapes

Chairpersons: Eileen Eckmeier, Anna Schneider

The human factor is a relevant, and today often the predominant factor in landscape evolution and ecosystem dynamics. This is mirrored in the debate of the term “Anthropocene” and its possible nature as a geological time period or event, and of potential start dates. In the framework of „Converging Spheres“, we encourage contributions from all disciplines that are dedicated to investigating human-environment relationships at different spatial and temporal scales.  A main focus will be on processes of long-term anthropogenic transformation in the past that are still affecting or shaping the environment today. Presented research could encompass, e.g., geoarchaeological, geomorphological, pedological or paleoenvironmental studies. They could address changes in soil properties or earth surface characteristics due to past land use, interactions of past climate change and land use, as well as the analysis of the underlying pedologic and geomorphologic processes.