Budgeting soil erosion from floodplain and alluvial fan sediments in the western Palatinate Forest (Pfälzerwald, Germany)

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The catchment selected is that of the Schwarzbach in the western Palatinate Forest. Its Holocene floodplain and those of its tributaries were studied in detail at several sites, the focus being on the thickness, characteristics and age of the sediments. From radiocarbon dating of in situ organic material and the stratigraphic position of peats, two periods of different intensity of soil erosion could be distinguished for the whole catchment. Two pollen profiles are discussed in relation to the settlement history of the western Palatinate forest. By comparison with similar small Upland catchments, the erosion rates of the Schwarzbach valley are low. This may be explained by the reduced suitability of the Palatinate Forest for agriculture, and consequently a later onset of forest clearing, mostly followed by merely extensive land use.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, issn : 0372-8854, 2011, vol. 55, n°. 4, p. 437-461, nombre de pages : 25, Références bibliographiques : 3 p.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Stuttgart, Gebruder Borntraeger