Small Drills, Big Questions—Investigating Late Neolithic Dickenbännli Drills Through Experimentation, Technology, Traceology and Residue Analysis

More frequent flooding? Changes in flood frequency in Switzerland since 1850

Subsurface sedimentary strata in northern Switzerland, such as the Middle Triassic Upper Muschelkalk, are attracting interest as potential reservoirs for CO2 sequestration and for geothermal energy production. Characterizing facies in such strata aids prediction of reservoir properties in unexplored areas. Although well studied elsewhere, the Swiss Upper Muschelkalk has received little attention despite containing the southern-most deposits of the Central European Basin. The Upper Muschelkalk represents the deposits of a storm-dominated, homoclinal carbonate ramp, developed during a basin-wide 3rd-order transgressive–regressive cycle. Our facies analyses of nine boreholes across northern Switzerland reveal 12 lithofacies, eight lithofacies associations and four types of metre-scale 5th-order cycles corresponding to at least 23 short orbital eccentricity cycles. During the 3rd-order transgression, crinoidal bioherms developed across Switzerland followed by deep-ramp environments. Subsequently, tempestites were deposited up to and after the basin-wide maximum flooding surface. Lateral tempestite correlations indicate that Switzerland lay within an open-marine, mid-ramp environment during almost half of the depositional history. Mid-ramp deposits pass upwards to prograding shelly shoals, which sheltered a back-shoal lagoon containing patchy oolitic shoals. At the top of the Upper Muschelkalk, back-shoal sediments give way to coastal sabkha facies, which were overlain by oolitic shoals during a marine transgression. Shortly thereafter the top of the Upper Muschelkalk was dolomitized by brines from an overlying hypersaline environment that was later removed by a basin-wide erosive event. Overall, the paucity of porous shoal facies, unlike in southern Germany, has resulted in poor primary reservoir properties in the Upper Muschelkalk of Switzerland.

A. Penck’s and E. Bruckner’s “classical” subdivision of Quaternary deposits, developed in the Alpine foreland of southern Germany, was used for a long time as a basis for the classification of Quaternary deposits on Swiss geological maps. Due to fundamental differences between southern Germany and northern Switzerland regarding the morphogenetic control of the drainage system—especially regarding the morphostratigraphic position of various lithostratigraphic units—this subdivision should no longer be applied in Switzerland. With this in view, a new concept for a stratigraphic classification and nomenclature is presented here. It is based on the national guidelines for stratigraphic nomenclature compiled by the Swiss Committee on Stratigraphy SCS. In addition, a corresponding system for map legends is proposed. This concept has already been applied in a number of sheets of the Geological Atlas of Switzerland 1:25,000 and will be implemented in future maps.

The Deckenschotter is a fluvial to glaciofluvial gravel unit in northern Switzerland and southern Germany. The deposits are considered the oldest preserved glacial to interglacial Quaternary deposits in the northern Alpine foreland and are thus important geomorphological markers for landscape evolution. Nevertheless, the age of the deposits is only approximately known and subject to controversial debates. This study presents the results of an extensive palaeomagnetic investigation carried out on intercalated fine-grained sediments at 11 sites of the Höhere Deckenschotter (HDS) and at 5 sites of the Tiefere Deckenschotter (TDS). The HDS show reversed and normal magnetisations, indicating deposition > 0.773 Ma, while the TDS exhibit only normal directions. Age constraints for the different sites are discussed in the light of evidence from other studies. The study therefore clearly supports the efforts to determine the age of the Deckenschotter. As data from previous palaeomagnetic studies on the HDS and TDS have not been published or preserved, this is in fact the only data-based palaeomagnetic study available.

New Anisian to Ladinian palynology, palynofacies and stable carbon isotope records are reported for the Middle Triassic from deep Swiss wells (Weiach, Benken, Leuggern), well B3/13 (Weizen, S-Germany) and the type area of the Freudenstadt Formation in southern Germany. A wide spectrum of moderately to well-preserved palynomorphs represent a high Middle Triassic plant diversity. Based on the distribution of diverse spore-pollen assemblages five Anisian Palynozones (A–E) and two Ladinian ones (F, G) are differentiated. Throughout these Palynozones the occurrence of spores and pollen, assigned to plant groups so far known only from the Palaeozoic, shed a new light on the evolution of plant assemblages during the Triassic. The comparison of Palynozones A–G with palynostratigraphic schemes from the central part of the Germanic Basin and from the Tethyan realm demonstrate the regional variability of marker species ranges – especially for the Anisian. n agreement with the lithological record, two prominent transgressive events (Lower Muschelkalk, Upper Muschelkalk) are indicated by increased abundances of marine particulate organic matter in palynofacies data. Marginal marine influence is documented at the base of the studied interval, comprising the Buntsandstein and the base of the Lower Muschelkalk. Carbonate carbon isotopes data show a negative shift at the boundary between lower and middle Muschelkalk. Coincidently, a prominent change in relative abundances of climate-sensitive plant groups (e.g. Triadispora spp. vs. Pteridophytes) indicate a change to relatively dryer climatic conditions during the middle Muschelkalk.

Abstract. Future risks for groundwater resources, due to global change are usually analyzed by driving hydrological models with the outputs of climate models. However, this model chain is subject to considerable uncertainties. Given the high uncertainties it is essential to identify the processes governing the groundwater dynamics, as these processes are likely to affect groundwater resources in the future, too. Information about the dominant mechanisms can be achieved by the analysis of long-term data, which are assumed to provide insight in the reaction of groundwater resources to changing conditions (weather, land use, water demand). Referring to this, a dataset of 30 long-term time series of precipitation dominated groundwater systems in northern Switzerland and southern Germany is collected. In order to receive additional information the analysis of the data is carried out together with hydrological model simulations. High spatio-temporal correlations, even over large distances could be detected and are assumed to be related to large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. As a result it is suggested to prefer innovative weather-type-based downscaling methods to other stochastic downscaling approaches. In addition, with the help of a qualitative procedure to distinguish between meteorological and anthropogenic causes it was possible to identify processes which dominated the groundwater dynamics in the past. It could be shown that besides the meteorological conditions, land use changes, pumping activity and feedback mechanisms governed the groundwater dynamics. Based on these findings, recommendations to improve climate change impact studies are suggested.

(1) The survival of peripheral populations is often threatened, especially in a changing environment. Furthermore, such populations frequently show adaptations to local conditions which, in turn, may enhance the ability of a species to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In conservation biology, peripheral populations are therefore of particular interest. (2) In northern Switzerland and southern Germany, Libelloides coccajus is an example of such a peripheral species. (3) Assuming that suitable oviposition sites are crucial to its long-term survival, we compared oviposition sites and adjacent control plots with regard to structure and composition of the vegetation. (4) Vegetation structure at and around oviposition sites seems to follow fairly stringent rules leading to at least two benefits for the egg clutches: (i) reduced risk of contact with adjacent plants, avoiding delayed drying after rainfall or morning dew and (ii) reduced shading and therefore higher temperatures. (5) Furthermore, the study showed that it is possible to successfully create secondary habitats for L. coccajus, as shown by a road verge in one of our study areas. It is likely that other artificial habitats such as abandoned gravel pits and quarries may also provide suitable habitats.

Simulation of trajectories and maximum reach of distal impact ejecta under terrestrial conditions: Consequences for the Ries crater, southern Germany

Stable isotope compositions of mammoth teeth from Niederweningen, Switzerland: Implications for the Late Pleistocene climate, environment, and diet

Linaria vulgaris, common or yellow toadflax, and Linaria dalmatica, Dalmatian toadflax (Plantaginaceae), are Eurasian perennial forbs invasive throughout temperate North America. These Linaria species have been the targets of classical biological control programmes in Canada and the USA since the 1960s. The first effective toadflax biological control agent, the stem‐mining weevil Mecinus janthinus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was introduced from Europe in the 1990s. This weevil has become established on L. dalmatica and L. vulgaris in both countries, although it has shown greater success in controlling the former toadflax species. Genetic and ecological studies of native range M. janthinus populations revealed that weevils previously identified as a single species in fact include two cryptic species, now recognised as M. janthinus, associated with yellow toadflax, and the recently confirmed species Mecinus janthiniformis, associated with Dalmatian toadflax. The results of a comprehensive study characterising haplotype identities, distributions and frequencies within M. janthinus s.l. native range source populations were compared to those populations currently established in the USA and Canada. The presence of both Mecinus species in North America was confirmed, and revealed with a few exceptions a high and consistent level of host fidelity throughout the adopted and native ranges. Genetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene (mtCOII) defined the origin and records the subsequent North American establishment, by haplotype, of the European founder populations of M. janthinus (northern Switzerland and southern Germany) and M. janthiniformis (southern Macedonia), and provided population genetic indices for the studied populations. This analysis together with existing North American shipment receipt, release and rearing records elucidates probable redistribution routes and sources of both weevil species from initially released and established adopted range populations.

Angiostrongylus vasorum is endemic in foxes an other carnivores in the South and south East of France, Denmark and Great Britain. The reddish nematode is present in the Arteria pulmonalis and the right side of the heart and causes respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. From 1999 to 2004, A. vasorum was diagnosed in 5 dogs from northern Switzerland, in 1 dog from southern Germany and in 3 dogs from south Ticino. Clinical signs in the affected dogs varied and ranged from cough, tachypnoea and dyspnoea to neurological symptoms in 2 of the dogs. Four dogs died and in 3 of the 4 dogs adults and larvae were found after digestion of formalin-fixed tissue. Diagnosis in the other 5 dogs was achieved by detecting the larvae coproscopically. Based on anamnestic data, these 9 dogs are probably autochthonous cases.

ON the morning of January 22 a shock of earthquake was felt throughout Northern Switzerland, and at many places in Southern Germany from Ulm to Strassburg. At Basel the shock was strong enough to awaken many persons, and a crackling noise was heard by almost all observers. The direction of the shock appears to have been from north-east to south-west. The seismometer at the Bernoullianum Observatory indicated 46 min. 16 sec. after midnight (mean European time). According to newspaper reports, the shock was more severely felt in the neighbourhood of Freiburg than here.

1. 1 Geographical and 1. 2 Previous work palaeogeographical setting Stratigraphic exploration of the Swiss Jura range began before The measuring of detailed sections and the excavation of fossils 1820. MERIAN (1821) described the Jurassic sediments in the ar- were done in an area which is confined to the west by a line be- ea of Basel for the first time and gave a short and appropriate tween Boncourt in Canton Jura and Biel in Canton Bern description of the principal lithostratigraphic units. Merian (fig. 1). The belt of outcrops becomes narrower towards the east was aware that fossils were a means for correlation, but he stated and then runs northeast from Canton Aargau to Mohringen on that fossils were not known well enough at the time for this the Danube river in southern Germany. This whole area is purpose. Therefore he correlated strictly lithostratigraphically. where the Burgundy platform (PuRSER 1979) interfingers with He correlated the marls of the Biirschwil Formation of the early sediments of the rhodano-swabian epicontinental sea which and middle Oxfordian in the central Jura with the marls of the was situated adjacent to northern Tethys (fig. 63). The whole Effingen Member of the middle and late Oxfordian in the east- area was transformed into an epicontinental sea (fig. 2) by the ern Jura range (fig. 3).

In the framework of an European program that I direct — which is devoted to the enhancement of the humanist heritage of the Upper Rhine region (Southern Germany, Northern Switzerland and Alsace), that is the humanistic editions of the Greek and Roman authors held by the libraries —, a curious work to be found in the University Library of Basel has come to my attention. Indeed, I would like to speak about some aspects of the humanist reception of Virgil and more specifically of his Bucolica, concerning the form as well as the content.

The decade of research concentrating on the area of Eastern Slavonia revealed an abundance of large and complex Middle and Late Neolithic sites. It changed profoundly how we perceive Middle and Late Neolithic settlements, including space, size and organization. The vast majority of these sites were detected through aerial reconnaissance and satellite image analysis. The observation of the sites was followed by intensive field surveys, which confirmed their attribution to the Middle and Late Neolithic period by surface finds. On those confirmed sites in the vicinity of Đakovo, Croatia, a magnetic survey was conducted on five sites, and the results confirmed the presence of large-scale Middle and Late Neolithic settlements with complex spatial organization and enclosure(s). The most complex remains so far are the sites Gorjani, Kremenjača and Topole, which we present in this paper, where one or two settlements remain covering an area of 70 hectares which is currently in the process of formal protection as a cultural landscape by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia. The special focus of this paper is the application of remote sensing in the detection, archaeological confirmation and protection of the site of Gorjani Topole.