Reinhard F. Hüttl - Böcker

From the research results and discussions presented in this text, theories are formulated of the various interrelationships of the nutritional aspects which allow the implementation of specific management strategies to improve stability and productivity of forest ecosystems. In particular, the effects of environmental changes as related to the impacts of air pollution, global change and land use on nutrient uptake and cycling processes in forest ecosystems are dealt with in detail. The book is divided into six main issues and each topic contains reviews as well as selected results of recent studies.

This special volume contains papers that are partly based on contributions to the symposium "Minesite Recultivation" wh ich was held at the Brandenburg Technical University in Cottbus, FRG in lune 1994. Ouring this symposium, various aspects of research into the recultivation of open-cast minesites were discussed. As a prime example, the symposium focussed on the recultivation (reclamation) of post-mining landscapes in the Lusatian lignite mining district of the former German 2 Oemocratic Republic (GOR). In this area, about 700 km have been devastated by open- cast mining during the last 70 years. Therefore, the research into recultivation has a long tradition in Lusatia, going back to the 1930's. Oue [0 the scientific isolation of the former GOR, most of the research results were not available to an international audience until now. This situation holds also true for other eastern countries. Hence, this special volume is a first step to fill this gap.The papers by Pietsch, Heinsdorf, and Katzur and Haubold-Rosar detail the Lusatian lignite mining district presenting an overview of recultivation research results and practical experiences related to the establishment of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in this region after mining. In particular, the amelioration and reforestation of extremely acid, sulfurous mine soils, the fertilization of forest stands under different mine site conditions and the site-specific recolonization and re vegetation strategies are described.

This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled "Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems". Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO2 and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite-fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO2 emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO2 and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience.

Historical gardens listed as cultural monuments are valuable evidence of our civilization. How can they be preserved under changing climatic conditions? On the basis of four historical gardens, this project analyzes the natural, cultural and social framework in which the "images" of the garden are inscribed. Yet, what courses of action are possible if plants or trees are no longer adapted to the local conditions? Representatives from the natural and social sciences, the humanities, and historical garden conservation present their first joint solution strategies for the preservation of historical gardens as complete works of art facing climate change.

This book presents the results of the Interdisciplinary Research Group "Society – Water – Technology" of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

This book presents the results of the Interdisciplinary Research Group "Society – Water – Technology" of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

Welche Auswirkungen hat der globale Wandel für die regionale Entwicklung? Welche Konsequenzen ergeben sich daraus in gesellschaftlicher, ökonomischer und politischer Hinsicht? Diesen drängenden Fragen geht der vorliegende Band mit Blick auf die Region Berlin-Brandenburg nach. Im Fokus stehen dabei die Verfügbarkeit, die nachhaltige Nutzung und der Schutz der Ressource Wasser. Die Experten der Arbeitsgruppe Globaler Wandel – Regionale Entwicklung der Berlin-Brandenburgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften untersuchen die verschiedenen Dimensionen des globalen Wandels: Die Beiträge befassen sich mit den regionalen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels, mit dem Wandel von Landnutzungen und Aspekten innovativer Agrarwirtschaft sowie mit Auswirkungen des sozial- und raumstrukturellen Wandels auf Infrastrukturen. An die Analyse schließt die Erörterung von Handlungsoptionen und möglichen regionalen Anpassungsstrategien an. Angesprochen sind Akteure und Entscheider in Politik, Verwaltung und Wirtschaft sowie die interessierte Öffentlichkeit. Dabei steht die Region Berlin-Brandenburg im Mittelpunkt der Ausführungen; die Analysen und Empfehlungen sind jedoch auf eine generelle Übertragbarkeit auf vergleichbare Regionen hin angelegt.

This special volume contains papers that are partly based on contributions to the symposium "Minesite Recultivation" wh ich was held at the Brandenburg Technical University in Cottbus, FRG in lune 1994. Ouring this symposium, various aspects of research into the recultivation of open-cast minesites were discussed. As a prime example, the symposium focussed on the recultivation (reclamation) of post-mining landscapes in the Lusatian lignite mining district of the former German 2 Oemocratic Republic (GOR). In this area, about 700 km have been devastated by open- cast mining during the last 70 years. Therefore, the research into recultivation has a long tradition in Lusatia, going back to the 1930's. Oue [0 the scientific isolation of the former GOR, most of the research results were not available to an international audience until now. This situation holds also true for other eastern countries. Hence, this special volume is a first step to fill this gap.The papers by Pietsch, Heinsdorf, and Katzur and Haubold-Rosar detail the Lusatian lignite mining district presenting an overview of recultivation research results and practical experiences related to the establishment of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in this region after mining. In particular, the amelioration and reforestation of extremely acid, sulfurous mine soils, the fertilization of forest stands under different mine site conditions and the site-specific recolonization and re vegetation strategies are described.

This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled 'Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems'. Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO2 and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite- fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO2 emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO2 and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience.In this respect, this ecosystem experiment can be looked upon as a roof experiment without a roof.

Human activities are significantly modifying the natural global carbon (C) cycles, and concomitantly influence climate, ecosystems, and state and function of the Earth system.

Ecological functions and human wellbeing depend on ecosystem services. Among the ecosystem services are provisional (food, feed, fuel, fiber), regulating (carbon sequestration, waste recycling, water cleansing), cultural (aesthetic, recreational, spiritual), and supporting services (soil formation, photosynthesis, nutrient cycling). Many relationships of various degree exist among ecosystem services. Thus, land use and soil management to enhance biospheric carbon sinks for carbon sequestration requires a comprehensive understanding on the effects on ecosystem services. Payments for ecosystem services including carbon pricing must address the relationship between carbon sequestration and ecosystem services to minimize risks of overshoot, and promote sustainable use of land-based carbon sinks for human wellbeing.

Human activities are significantly modifying the natural global carbon (C) cycles, and concomitantly influence climate, ecosystems, and state and function of the Earth system. Ever increasing amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) are added to the atmosphere by fossil fuel combustion but the biosphere is a potential C sink. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of C cycling in the biosphere is crucial for identifying and managing biospheric C sinks. Ecosystems with large C stocks which must be protected and sustainably managed are wetlands, peatlands, tropical rainforests, tropical savannas, grasslands, degraded/desertified lands, agricultural lands, and urban lands. However, land-based sinks require long-term management and a protection strategy because C stocks grow with a progressive improvement in ecosystem health.

From the research results and discussions presented in this book it becomes clear that a profound understanding of the various interrelationships of the nutritional aspects allows the implementation of specific management strategies to improve stability and productivity of forest ecosystems. In particular the effects of environmental changes as related to the impacts of air pollution, global change and land use on nutrient uptake and cycling processes in forest ecosystems are dealt with in detail. The book is divided into six main issues and each topic contains reviews as well as selected results of recent studies.

R. F. HUTTL AND W. SCHAAF Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, Chair of Soil Protection and Recultivation, P.O. Box 10 13 44, 03013 Cottbus, Germany The health status of forest trees and stands is determined by numerous site factors such as chemical, physical, and biological soil factors, water supply, climate, weather conditions, management history as well as atmospheric deposition impacts. In this context, the nutrient supply is an important evaluation parameter. Forest trees well supplied with nutrients are more resistant to stresses that affect the forest ecosystem than other trees. This is true for both biotic and abiotic influences. Therefore the investigation of the so-called 'new type forest damage' was aimed at the exact determination of the health status of damaged trees. When considering the complete forest ecosystem, health (=vitality) means the sustainable ability to withstand negative environmental influences and still remain stable and productive. From this viewpoint, an optimal nutritional status is a prerequisite for an optimal health status. The term 'new type forest damage' comprises a number of damage symptoms which have been observed in various tree species on very different sites since the mid-1970s, particularly in Europe and North America. However, they occurred much more intensively in the 1980s. Generally, this forest damage was thought to be related to negative impacts of air pollutants.