Recent Landscape Research Articles

Holocene landscape evolution of an estuarine wetland in relation to its human occupation and exploitation: Waasland Scheldt polders, northern Belgium

AbstractThis paper describes the landscape evolution of the Waasland Scheldt polders in the north of Belgium from the Late Glacial – early Holocene to the present time, and the effects of this changing landscape on the human settlement. The regional landscape evolution has been visualised in a series of palaeogeographical maps for successive time frames. Two different map series were produced: a series of Holocene palaeogeographical reconstructions (11,000–950 cal BP) based on geotechnical, geological and archaeological data, and a series of post-Medieval landscape reconstructions (16th- to 19th-century) based on historical maps, land registers and soil data. Additional palaeoenvironmental information from fossil pollen and plant remains allowed reconstruction of the vegetation and wetland changes, particularly for the middle to late Holocene. Peat growth was the main key to understanding the landscape evolution of the Waasland Scheldt polders. Whereas the landscape evolution during the Holocene was mainly sea-level driven, the transformation of the landscape during the last millennium was largely due to human interventions.

The impact of natural and anthropogenic processes on the evolution of closed depressions in loess areas. A multi-proxy case study from Nałęczów Plateau, Eastern Poland

Closed depressions are reported in loess landscapes in various parts of Europe. The anthropogenic and natural origin of closed depressions is highly debated in literature. Closed depressions are an important component of the landscape in loess areas of the Lublin Upland. Furthermore, they perform the role of local closed sediment basins, creating unique conditions for the preservation of soils and colluvial sediments, along with the record of the evolution of the Holocene landscape, occurring under the influence of climate changes and human activity.The study objective was to evaluate the contribution of natural and anthropogenic processes influencing the origin and evolution of closed depressions. The Nałęczów Plateau is composed of loess, whose thickness varies from a few meters to >30m. 1761 closed depressions have been documented within the Nałęczów Plateau (493km2). A detailed investigation was conducted within selected closed depression, dissected by a deep and long road trench. The studied form was 40m long, 26m wide and 0.7m deep. The analyzed exposure; 20m long and 7m high, presents a cross-section of the closed depression. Fieldwork and subsequent laboratory analyses were conducted: morphological, micromorphological, microstructural, geochemical, physico-chemical, OSL and 14C dating. Archaeological and historical correlations were also performed.The primary bottom and slopes of the studied depression are composed of loess in situ, overlain by Late Glacial-Holocene fossil soil. Periglacial structures, such as deformed ice-wedge pseudomorphs, cracks and lenses macro-structures were documented in the loess and palaeosol at the bottom of the closed depression. The depression is filled with Neoholocene soil-sediment sequences consisting of 2 layers of colluvial sediments, separated by Neoholocene subfossil soil. They constitute a record of the two stages of CD infillings in the Holocene, connected with human agricultural activity, lasting from the Neolithic up to modern times.A detailed analysis of the loess, Late Glacial-Holocene fossil soil and Holocene colluvial sediments made it possible to distinguish the stages of evolution of closed depression influenced by changing environmental conditions and human activity, during the Late Glacial and Holocene.

Abstract 1819: Intrinsic determinants of constitutive activity of exon-skipping variants of androgen receptor in castration resistant prostate cancer

Abstract The C-terminally located ligand-binding domain (LBD) of androgen receptor (AR) folds into 12 helices (H1-H12) and its structural integrity permits a strict ligand-dependency of AR to act as a transcription factor. The two most common AR variants (ARVs) V7 and v567es lack LBD and are constitutively active and resistant to the forefront antiandrogen drugs. Moreover, the recent comprehensive splicing landscapes revealed that metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harbored multiple forms of ARVs, many of which have diverse patterns of inclusion/exclusion of exons (exon 4-8) corresponding to LBD to produce namely exon-skipping variants. The presence of these previously unreported ARVs adds another layer of complexity to AR signaling. Thus, it crucial to predict the functional outcomes associated with their expression of these ARVs in relation to mCRPC progression. To this end, we characterized these ARVs with respect to their subcellular localization and transactivation capability. Notably, v5es, which skips exon 5 (E5), displayed predominant nuclear localization and constitutive activity as reported for V7 and v567es. v6es, which includes E5 but excludes E6, is mainly localized in cytoplasm and transcriptionally inactive. Exclusion of E5 and 6 introduce premature stop codons in E6 and E7, respectively, which results in deletion of most of the LBD in v5es and v6es. On the other hand, v56es maintains the reading frame resulting in the inclusion of C-terminal half of LBD corresponding to E7 and 8, show nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution, and lack transactivation capability. Both active and inactive ARVs commonly possess E1 through E4. Accordingly, E5 appears to blunt transactivation capability of v6es while both/either of two exons E7 and 8 suppress the activity of v56es. To gain insight into what aspects are different between active and inactive LBD-less ARVs, we first generated and systematically analyzed a series of mutations with deletion of E5 in v6es toward E4-E5 junction. Among the 12 helices in LBD, H4 and H5 reside in E5. While the deletion mutants with intact H5 were similar to v6es in their properties, those with compromise or deletion of residues in H5 exhibited exclusive nuclear localization and constitutive activity. When inhibitory effects of E7 and E8 are considered, v56es without E7 and v56es was found to share similar properties. In contrast, v56es missing E8 was exclusively localized in nucleus and displayed significant but much lower transcriptional activity than that of v5es and the v56es derivative with simultaneous deletion of E7 and 8. These clearly suggest that multiple mechanisms exist to determine subcellular localizations and transactivation activities of ARVs. To develop the treatment based on AR expression profiles, we are continuing to maximize precise prediction of characteristics of ARVs that can singly or in aggregate contribute to mCRPC progression. Citation Format: Takuma Uo, Heidi Dvinge, Cynthia C. Sprenger, Robert K. Bradley, Peter S. Nelson, Stephen R. Plymate. Intrinsic determinants of constitutive activity of exon-skipping variants of androgen receptor in castration resistant prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1819.

Contrasting historical and current land-use correlation with diverse components of current alien plant invasions in Mediterranean habitats

Habitat invasion by alien plants is strongly modulated by environmental and landscape factors. However, the effect of landscape history remains largely unknown, despite the fact that it could play an important role in many stages of invasion processes, even long after land-use changes have occurred determining invasion debts. We analysed the effects of past landscape and recent changes therein, together with habitat type and current context (i.e. climate, topography and landscape), on three components of the invasion process at habitat scale: alien species presence (i.e. at least one alien species occurring), richness (number of species found) and abundance (mean species cover). We selected 531 plots in nine habitat types in Barcelona province (7725 km2) and recorded alien (neophyte) species cover. We performed Generalized Linear Models on these invasion components using the generated data and a set of predictors of habitat, context and landscape factors obtained from plot sampling and digital cartography. The results show that invasion components are affected by diverse habitat and context factors and, in some cases, by landscape history. Alien species presence is influenced by habitat type and the current environmental context, and by the number of habitat changes in the adjacent landscape; on the other hand, species richness is only associated with the current context and species abundance is only influenced by historical cropland cover. The association between alien species presence and abundance and past and recent landscape changes suggests the existence of accumulated invasion debts at habitat scale that might be relevant to habitat management.

Holocene ecosystem, social and landscape dynamics in East Africa

Holocene ecosystem, social and landscape dynamics in East Africa

Application of a Gondwanan perspective to restore ecological integrity in the south‐western Australian global biodiversity hotspot

AbstractBounded by ocean and desert, the isolated, predominately Mediterranean‐climate region of south‐western Australia (SWA) includes nine bioregions (circa 44 million hectares). The ecological integrity of the landscapes in this global biodiversity hotspot has been compromised by deforestation, fragmentation, exploitation, and introduced biota. Nature and degree of transformation varies between four interconnected landscapes (Swan Coastal Plain; South‐west Forests; Wandoo Woodlands; and Great Western Woodlands). A Gondwanan perspective emphasizes a venerable biota and a cultural component to deep time. The particular importance of remnants and protected areas is recognized in restoring ecological integrity to Gondwanan landscapes. The nature and magnitude of the restoration task in these ancient, and neighboring, landscapes require higher levels of investment and more time than do recent landscapes. The protection, conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of ecological integrity require multiple approaches in each landscape as well as consideration of the whole. Active conservation of biota and minimizing the impact of industrial‐ and agricultural‐use are priorities. Integrating a climate focus and rethinking fire are critical restoration considerations to future trajectories under anthropogenic climate change. A legislative mandate to coordinate industrial‐scale restoration and active conservation to build from protected areas must become a societal priority to restore ecological integrity.

Phylogeographic concordance factors quantify phylogeographic congruence among co-distributed species in the Sarracenia alata pitcher plant system.

Comparative phylogeographic investigations have identified congruent phylogeographic breaks in co-distributed species in nearly every region of the world. The qualitative assessments of phylogeographic patterns traditionally used to identify such breaks, however, are limited because they rely on identifying monophyletic groups across species and do not account for coalescent stochasticity. Only long-standing phylogeographic breaks are likely to be obvious; many species could have had a concerted response to more recent landscape events, yet possess subtle signs of phylogeographic congruence because ancestral polymorphism has not completely sorted. Here, we introduce Phylogeographic Concordance Factors (PCFs), a novel method for quantifying phylogeographic congruence across species. We apply this method to the Sarracenia alata pitcher plant system, a carnivorous plant with a diverse array of commensal organisms. We explore whether a group of ecologically associated arthropods have co-diversified with the host pitcher plant, and identify if there is a positive correlation between ecological interaction and PCFs. Results demonstrate that multiple arthropods share congruent phylogeographic breaks with S. alata, and provide evidence that the level of ecological association can be used to predict the degree of similarity in the phylogeographic pattern. This study outlines an approach for quantifying phylogeographic congruence, a central concept in biogeographic research.

Drainage basin and topographic analysis of a tropical landscape: Insights into surface and tectonic processes in northern Borneo

We investigated the recent landscape development of Borneo through geomorphic analysis of two large drainage basins (Rajang and Baram basins). The extraction of morphometric parameters utilizing digital terrain data in a GIS environment, focusing on hydrography (stream length–gradient index, ratio of valley floor width to valley height, and transverse topographic symmetry factor) and topography (local relief and relief anomaly), was carried out in order to elucidate processes governing drainage and landscape evolution. Anomalously high and low values of stream length–gradient indices of main tributary streams associated with faults and multiple knick-points along the channel profiles are linked to deformation events. The development of deeply incised V-shaped valleys show enhanced incision capability of streams in response to steepening of hillslope gradients following tectonic inputs. Deflection of streams and probable dynamic reorganization of the drainage system through stream capture processes as feedbacks to tectonic uplift and orographic effect are observed. Local relief and relief anomaly maps highlight the presence of preserved elevation-accordant relict portions of landscapes characterized by low amplitude relief, nested between ridgelines in regions of complex folding. Our results reveal dynamic geomorphic adjustment of the landscape due to perturbations in tectonic and climatic boundary conditions. The implication is that the landscape of north Borneo experienced a tectonic phase of rapid uplift after 5Ma and undergoes active folding of the Rajang Group thrust belts in the present-day. Active shortening combined with high rates of denudation in Sarawak, demonstrates transience emphasized by the drainage system attempting to adjust to tectonic and climatic forcing.

Holocene landscape development along the Portuguese Algarve coast – A high resolution palynological approach

Along the Algarve coast, multi-proxy investigations of four estuaries detail the Holocene landscape evolution through high-resolution pollen and sediment analyses. This approach focuses on palynological results and enables the reconstruction of differentiated human impact around the studied archives between the Neolithic and modern times. During the Chalcolithic and Phoenician periods anthropogenic land use increases clearly and triggers erosional processes in the catchment. The increased agricultural area and the change in land use methods since the beginning of the second Islamic epoch form the actual landscape. According to the palynological results, since 8200 cal BP highly variable climatic conditions in terms of moisture availability have occurred during the entire Holocene. Arid periods occurred during the early Holocene prior to 8000 cal BP, around 7000 cal BP and between 6400 and 6200 cal BP. During the mid Holocene, two further dry periods with very different duration could be identified between 5000 and 3300 cal BP and between 2800 and 2500 cal BP. Finally, during the late Holocene between 1300 and 1050 cal BP and between 700 and 500 cal BP, further arid periods appeared. In conclusion, climatic and anthropogenic influences caused erosion in the catchments and in this way silting up of the estuaries along the Portuguese Algarve coast.

Late Pleistocene-Holocene shoreline reconstruction and human exploitation of molluscan resources in northern Pieria, Macedonia, Greece

This study presents new stratigraphic, sedimentological, pedological dating and macro- and micro-fauna data, in order to reconstruct late Pleistocene and Holocene landscapes and shorelines of northern Pieria, northern Greece, and to discuss human exploitation of coastal environments. At the end of the Pleistocene, coastal Pieria formed part of the broad coastal plain that extended from northern Anatolia to Thessaly. Holocene marine transgression flooded the Pleistocene terrain and by the Early-Middle Neolithic (5870/5690-5720/5610BCE) brackish water reached the Korinos area. A relatively shallow marine embayment was eventually established and the shoreline was at least 3.5km west of its present position. Massive Final Neolithic alluviation (4339/3999–4039/3775BCE) resulted in marine regression and the building up of a sand barrier. An open, brackish lagoon occupied a large part of the study area at least since the Early Bronze Age (3090–2880/2870BCE). By the Late Bronze Age (1740/1505–1520/1254BCE) renewed alluviation resulted in a second phase of sea regression and the creation of marshes at the edges of the lagoon. Alluvial sediments and intercalated palaeosols cap the marine/lagoon/marsh sequence and indicate a significant increase in sediment supply that started ca. 2000years ago and culminated during the Early Christian period (4th–6th century CE). Rapid shore progradation resulted in the creation of the modern coastal plain of Korinos. Archaeomalacological data indicate that prehistoric communities exploited intensively shallow aquatic environments for food and artefact manufacture. Specialisation in the gathering of the brackish mollusc Cerastoderma glaucum (the common cockle) persisted for at least 6000years (from the Early Neolithic to the Early Iron Age), thus becoming a regional culinary tradition. Although attitudes towards molluscs were originally (7th-6th mil. BCE) shaped by natural availability and proximity to shell sources, substantial residual variability from the Late Neolithic (late 6th–early 5th mil. BCE) onwards, suggesting local preferences in food and material culture, can be attributed to cultural choices and highlights the complexity of human/environment interactions.

The evolution of a thermokarst-lake landscape: Late Quaternary permafrost degradation and stabilization in interior Alaska

Thermokarst processes characterize a variety of ice-rich permafrost terrains and often lead to lake formation. The long-term evolution of thermokarst landscapes and the stability and longevity of lakes depend upon climate, vegetation and ground conditions, including the volume of excess ground ice and its distribution. The current lake status of thermokarst-lake landscapes and their future trajectories under climate warming are better understood in the light of their long-term development. We studied the lake-rich southern marginal upland of the Yukon Flats (northern interior Alaska) using dated lake-sediment cores, observations of river-cut exposures, and remotely-sensed data. The region features thick (up to 40m) Quaternary deposits (mainly loess) that contain massive ground ice. Two of three studied lakes formed ~11,000–12,000calyr BP through inferred thermokarst processes, and fire may have played a role in initiating thermokarst development. From ~9000calyr BP, all lakes exhibited steady sedimentation, and pollen stratigraphies are consistent with regional patterns. The current lake expansion rates are low (0 to <7cmyr−1 shoreline retreat) compared with other regions (~30cmyr−1 or more). This thermokarst lake-rich region does not show evidence of extensive landscape lowering by lake drainage, nor of multiple lake generations within a basin. However, LiDAR images reveal linear “corrugations” (>5m amplitude), deep thermo-erosional gullies, and features resembling lake drainage channels, suggesting that highly dynamic surface processes have previously shaped the landscape. Evidently, widespread early Holocene permafrost degradation and thermokarst lake initiation were followed by lake longevity and landscape stabilization, the latter possibly related to establishment of dense forest cover. Partial or complete drainage of three lakes in 2013 reveals that there is some contemporary landscape dynamism. Holocene landscape evolution in the study area differs from that described from other thermokarst-affected regions; regional responses to future environmental change may be equally individualistic.

Sentinel-1 bathymetry for North Sea palaeolandscape analysis

ABSTRACTSubmerged palaeolandscapes can contain pristine underwater heritage. Regular monitoring of these areas is essential to assess and mitigate threats from development including construction, mining, and commercial trawling. While bathymetry alone may be insufficient to detect submerged palaeolandscape features, it can nonetheless recognize previously mapped structures that have a topographic expression. The Sentinel-1 constellation will provide unprecedented access to freely available, high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, acquired systematically and with long-term continuity, and may constitute a cost-effective solution for the monitoring of submerged palaeolandscapes. The article shows the application of a recently developed bathymetric algorithm to Sentinel-1 SAR data over a region of the southern North Sea. Results show general agreement with water depth data obtained from the European Marine Observation and Data Network portal for bathymetry (EMODnet). To assess the support that SAR bathymetry can provide to the analysis of submerged palaeolandscapes, the Sentinel-1-derived water depths were compared to a palaeolandscape map of the same area produced by the North Sea Palaeolandscapes Project (NSPP). Results show a clear correspondence between certain topographic structures identified in the Sentinel-1 water depth map and features interpreted by the NSPP as early Holocene lakes, rivers, and landscape topography.

Holocene sediment dynamics in the environs of the fortification enclosure of Corneşti-Iarcuri in the Romanian Banat

The presented study combines data from geomorphological, geochemical, sedimentological, chronometric, and archaeological records providing first insights into the Holocene landscape development in the environs of the Late Bronze Age fortification enclosure Corneşti-Iarcuri. This large-scale archaeological site is located in a loess-covered, undulating landscape at the eastern edge of the Great Hungarian Plain, in western Romania. Sediment archives from geomorphologically different locations, closely related to the Copper Age to Late Bronze Age settlements, are presented. Mainly stable geomorphic conditions throughout the Holocene occurred on the high plains of the Vinga Plain as indicated by chemical alteration of the loss deposits and soil formation processes exceeding 2 m. In contrast, two cores from an alluvial fan of a minor drainage system in direct vicinity of the archaeological site document varying morphodynamics throughout the Holocene. Phases of geomorphic activity and stability are indicated by the formation of fan deposits and paleosols developed in these sediments. 14C dates from charcoal extracted from the fan sediments show maximum deposition ages between c. 4400 cal. BP and c. 2900 cal. BP. Thus, the formation of the charcoal coincides with the Copper Age to Late Bronze Age development of the settlement sites. Daub pieces, incorporated into these reworked soil sediments, provide evidence for human activities in the catchment. This, in turn, may indicate that the erosion processes that led to the fan formation are linked to those activities. However, reworking and redeposition of the charcoal and daub bearing sediments due to retrogressive erosion during the last millennia cannot be excluded.

Effects of Land Use Changes on Ecosystem Services Value Provided By Coastal Wetlands: Recent and Future Landscape Scenarios

Wetlands are very sensitive to land use changes which alter supply and quality of their ecosystem services. This study analyzes the effect of land cover changes on the spatial and temporal patterns of the value of ecosystem services provided by coastal wetlands in northwest Mexico. These ecosystems have a high degree of naturalness, but are at risk because of land use changes promoted to reactivate regional development. Remote sensing and Markov chains modeling were used to estimate change trends, together with a value transfer approach for the ecosystem service valuation. The results indicated that the total flow of ecosystem service value tended to increase (18 million dollars (2007 USD)), presumably biased by the highest worldwide value assigned to saltmarsh/unconsolidated bottom, which increased in area by 8% during the study period. The most notable transition probability was observed between natural wetlands, highlighting littoral and saltmarsh as the classes with the highest probability of change over time. The southern part of the study area is the most susceptible to change, where unconsolidated bottom and forested mangrove (saltmarsh) are prevalent. Therefore, we can argue that the conservation of these coastal environments should be a priority in future land use management.

Recent landscape genomics studies in forest trees—what can we believe?

Landscape genomics is potentially a powerful research field for discovery of genes underlying complex patterns of adaptation in forest ecosystems. The general approach is to search for associations between genetic variation in tree populations and environmental variation in the habitats these trees occupy. For example, environmental data from GIS databases can be associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes for large samples of trees sampled from within environmentally heterogeneous landscapes. In this opinion paper, we seek to assess the commonality of recent landscape genomics studies in forest trees. When we compare results across different species, we find very few examples of the same genes being detected that associate to similar environmental variables. We also find the absence of commonality when we compare three studies in Norway spruce with similar experimental design. We thus argue that landscape genomics research in forest trees is in its infancy and currently reported that results should be viewed with caution. Further, improvements in study design and analyses of replicated studies will be needed before this very promising approach can be brought to application for managing forests under changing climate.

The Effects of Holocene Landscape Changes on the Formation of the Archaeological Record in the Fayum Basin, Egypt

Geoarchaeological research was performed across an archaeological landscape along the hyperarid northern paleoshores of the modern Lake Qarun, Fayum Basin, Egypt. Objectives were to record sedimentary variability and to consider the correlation between the paleoenvironmental interpretations of these sedimentary data and the observed archaeological record dated to the early and mid‐Holocene. Our approach combines hand‐drilling and stratigraphic descriptions with detailed studies of sediments (grain size analysis, analyses of CaCO3, and organic matter contents), densities of stone artifacts and bones, and chronometric data from associated contexts (AMS14C dates on charcoal from hearths). Analysis of deposits indicates initiation of lake deposition, reworking of lake deposits, and subsequent accumulation of wind‐blown deposits occurred prior to the deposition of archaeological materials. Correlations between sediment and the archaeological deposits indicate a different use of areas covered by relatively coarse‐grained sediment (sand) compared to areas where relatively fine‐grained deposits are exposed (clay and silt). Reassessment of the associations between archaeological materials and sediments in the Fayum Basin is required to improve knowledge of the interrelationships between the Nile flood history, regional climatic changes, oscillations in levels of paleo‐Lake Qarun, compared to the chronology of human occupation in the Fayum Basin.

Landscape genetics in a changing world: disentangling historical and contemporary influences and inferring change.

Landscape genetics seeks to determine the effect of landscape features on gene flow and genetic structure. Often, such analyses are intended to inform conservation and management. However, depending on the many factors that influence the time to reach equilibrium, genetic structure may more strongly represent past rather than contemporary landscapes. This well-known lag between current demographic processes and population genetic structure often makes it challenging to interpret how contemporary landscapes and anthropogenic activity shape gene flow. Here, we review the theoretical framework for factors that influence time lags, summarize approaches to address this temporal disconnect in landscape genetic studies, and evaluate ways to make inferences about landscape change and its effects on species using genetic data alone or in combination with other data. Those approaches include comparing correlation of genetic structure with historical versus contemporary landscapes, using molecular markers with different rates of evolution, contrasting metrics of genetic structure and gene flow that reflect population genetic processes operating at different temporal scales, comparing historical and contemporary samples, combining genetic data with contemporary estimates of species distribution or movement, and controlling for phylogeographic history. We recommend using simulated data sets to explore time lags in genetic structure, and argue that time lags should be explicitly considered both when designing and interpreting landscape genetic studies. We conclude that the time lag problem can be exploited to strengthen inferences about recent landscape changes and to establish conservation baselines, particularly when genetic data are combined with other data.

The origin of collapse features appearing in a migrating parabolic dune along the southern coast of Lake Michigan

Abstract Dune decomposition chimneys are collapse features formed when migrating dunes encroach on a forest and buried trees subsequently decay, leaving a temporarily stable open hole. The recent appearance of holes on the stoss slope of Mount Baldy at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore provided an opportunity for study of such features. Mount Baldy is a large parabolic dune that is rapidly migrating onshore over a late Holocene landscape with stabilized relict parabolic dunes that supported oak (Quercus spp.) trees visible on the 1939 aerial photo. Individual holes were mapped to locations on the dune surface that would directly overlie the arm of a buried relict parabolic dune. Analyses of buried trees and surrounding sediment indicated that saprotrophic wood decay fungi continue to actively decompose trees after burial and biomineralization of a calcium-carbonate-rich cement occurs at the contact between organic material and sands. Scanning electron microscopy of the cement showed neoformed authigenic minerals and organic structures consistent in morphology with fungal hyphae. We propose that, within the dune, portions of the decayed trees progressively collapse and infill, and open holes are temporarily stabilized by the calcium-carbonate-rich cement. Further, holes can exist undetected at the surface, covered by a thin veneer of sand. Migrating dune systems are observed in many coastal and inland areas. Ongoing work must address the relative contributions of individual environmental factors on the formation of dune decomposition chimneys, including the biomineralization of cement, sand mineralogy, rate of dune movement, tree species, climate, and the composition of fungal communities.

Technologies enabling advanced urban timber construction

This paper addresses rebirth of timber as a material suitable for urban construction. It lost currency during the late nineteenth and throughout the twentieth century, with the main reasons being concern about fire safety and the emergence of structural steel as a material well suited to expression of architectural modernism. Now the wheel of fortune is turning again, but in timber’s favour, with driving forces being continued population growth and urbanisation, and the need to create sustainable liveable cities. Also, technical knowhow now exists to address fire performance of timber buildings and timber materials have evolved to a level where some claim they are ‘better than steel’, or reinforced concrete. Research and development of fire engineering as a rigorous science are enabling implementation of performance-based design methods that literally revolutionise the design space for timber buildings. Tall timber buildings dot many recent city landscapes, but even so the possibilities largely await exploitation.

Glaciokarst geomorphology of the Northern Dinaric Alps: Snežnik (Slovenia) and Gorski Kotar (Croatia)

ABSTRACTSnežnik and Gorski Kotar are mountainous areas in the Northern Dinaric Alps. We investigated this remote and densely forested area on the border between Slovenia and Croatia between 2011 and 2014. The result of the fieldwork campaign is a 1:30,000 geomorphological map covering almost 600 km2. The study area mainly consists of Mesozoic age limestone and dolostone. Karstified carbonate lithology results in almost the complete absence of surface run-off and a dominance of typical karst morphology. The extensive karstified area was modified by Quaternary glaciations; therefore, the recent landscape is characterized as a glaciokarst. The focus of the presented map is to provide a basis for further research of Quaternary glaciations in the areas of Snežnik and Gorski Kotar. Along with the map, we propose a legend for glaciokarst landscape mapping.