Landscapes in Transition - formation, degradation and regeneration of dust-desert landscapes (C08)

• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 268236062

We focus on the mechanisms behind the formation, degradation and regeneration of hyper-arid surface crusts, which play a pivotal role in landscape evolution of dust deserts in the hyper-arid core of the Atacama. The objective is to provide timing and rates of geomorphological aeolian activity in these landscapes, to identify drivers of surface crust resilience and feedbacks with the associated evolution of dust desert surfaces. We hypothesize that hydroclimatic conditions and associated microbial life are the main factors influencing stability of surface crusts and dust desert landscapes and that the transition to degraded surface crusts associated to a discontinues patchy landscape passes through an eco-geomorphic critical transition.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1211: Earth - Evolution at the Dry Limit
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Dr. Marijn van der Meij, since 7/2024; Professor Dr. Tony Reimann