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The term heath generally means wasteland. In the early modern period, extensive areas of heathland were created in north-west Germany, mainly through deforestation and subsequent grazing. This meant that the people living here had to practise a special shortage or wasteland economy. The economy of scarcity had not only had economic consequences, but also shaped society and mentality. For example, use boundaries and forms of use had to be defined. Meliorations were carried out. These and other processes are illustrated by a regional example from northwest Germany (Cuxhaven, Lower Saxony). Since late 19th century, a completely new, positively connoted meaning and perception of heathland emerged. The heath areas threatened with disappearance became the focus of a completely different perspective of use. They were seen –alongside the meliorations– as supposedly "primeval" and "original" landscapes that required special protection.

The migration from Northwestern Germany to the Netherlands, the so-called "Hollandgehen" (Going to Holland), lasted for almost two centuries from the 17th to the 19th century and became a real mass phenomenon of the time. To earn money to improve their standard of living at home e.g. by dyke building, digging peat or mowing gras the predominantly male peasants went year after year mostly on foot from the agriculturally structured parts of Northwest Germany to the Netherlands which represented a prosperous global commercial power at that time. Taking the example of the Northwest German region of the Oldenburger Münsterland with its counties of Vechta and Cloppenburg the article shows the motivations of this migration as well as its problems and dangers. Comparing the historical Hollandgehen with the current migration of East-European seasonal workers coming mainly from Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania who work in the agriculture or the meat industry of the Oldenburger Münsterland and other German regions, the article deals with similarities and differences of both manifestations of migration. There are two main reasons for seasonal labour migration: On the one hand a lack of opportunities to secure one's livelihood or at least of providing a decent standard of living by doing wage labour at home and on the other hand a demand for employees elsewhere. Consequently, an economic discrepancy constitutes the basic precondition for labour migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions (1) How has the species richness of an alluvial forest changed over the past 52 yrs, and what are the main drivers of the observed temporal changes; (2) has the species composition changed over this period in response to changes in environmental variables; and (3) what are the main drivers of species richness (change) in this forest? Location Haseder Holz, Innerste floodplain in lowland northern Germany. Methods In 2012 we resurveyed the plant species composition of 19 permanent plots analysed for the first time in 1960 and for a second time in 2002. At the most recent survey, several environmental variables (photosynthetically active radiation, soil water content, groundwater table, pH and content of soil P, Ca, Mg, K, C and N) were measured in five locations within each plot. GLM were used to examine the relationship between explanatory variables and species richness, while variation in species composition, in time and space, was assessed by DCA. Results The number of species generally increased with decreasing soil nutrient (except Mg) content, with increasing variation in light availability and with increasing variation in K content. The significant increase in species richness from 1960 to 2012 was mainly attributed to the increase in true forest species, such as Paris quadrifolia and Mercurialis perennis, and woody species. The most pronounced increase in species richness was found in plots with lower soil phosphate content. Species typical for open habitats showed the most pronounced decrease from 1960 to 2012. A significant homogenization of the plots over time was observed. Conclusions Against the common trend in European forests, we found a significant increase in mean species richness, especially in plots with relatively low nutrient content. While the total pool of species has not consistently increased, we found a strong increase in plot-scale species richness of woody and herbaceous species. This overall increase and the slight decrease in the proportion of species typical of open habitats were probably driven by a decrease in light availability caused by less intensive management. Our results demonstrate that fine-scale spatial environmental heterogeneity positively affects species richness. In contrast to recently reported findings, we found a decrease in the number of species with increasing nutrient content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 20 m section of calcareous, fine- to coarse-grained Holocene sediments forming the upper part of the Garding-2 core, taken near Garding on the Eiderstedt Peninsula in Northwest Germany, has been analysed for pollen and for its sedimentological and geochemical characteristics to reconstruct the Holocene environmental history of this coastal area. The studied sediment sequence was deposited above an unconformity at 20 m depth formed by major erosion due to the rapid sea-level rise in the Early Holocene. A thin layer of marine sediments at the base, possibly correlating to the late Atlantic, is unconformably overlain by marine-tidal flat deposits up to 11.00 m depth. The Subboreal age of these deposits is evidenced by the first occurrence of Fagus at 15.97 m, which is OSL-dated, at 16.22 m, to about 3130 ± 260 BP (Zhang et al. 2014) and Carpinus at 15.03 m. The Ulmus decline, a palynological characteristic marking the Atlantic to Subboreal transition in northwestern Europe, is not revealed in the pollen sequence. Ulmus shows low values throughout the entire pollen diagram. It is therefore assumed that late Atlantic transitional sediments were eroded in Garding-2. Sandy sediments between about 11.00 m and the top of the sequence are palynologically characterised by increased representation of local salt marsh, dune and tidal flat vegetation, indicated by the abundance of Poaceae, Cerealia-type pollen, probably derived mainly from wild grasses, and increased percentages of Ericaceae, Cyperaceae and Chenopodiaceae. These upper deposits are AMS 14C-dated to 2790 ± 20 BP (at 11.41 m) and 1820 ± 50 BP (at 2.70 m; Zhang et al. 2014) suggesting an early Subatlantic age. Due to regional features and peculiarities of the coastal environment, significant anthropogenic impact on landscape as well as the expansion of Fagus and Carpinus, characteristic for the Subboreal to Subatlantic transition at about 2700 BP in Northern Germany, are not clearly reflected in the pollen diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organization of regional innovation systems is mostly complex and results not only from specific conditions on-site, but also from networking activities of individual actors. In this respect, economic development agencies play a key role, particularly as their responsibilities normally include the initiation and support of innovation processes. In order to ensure this, economic development agencies in practice often enter into joint collaboration with special innovation consultants. These actors are strongly interlinked with potential innovation partners enabling them to support innovation processes, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises. Due to this network capability, economists have established the role model of the relationship promotor which is in the focus of this paper. Taking the example of three regions in Northwest Germany, we analyze the function of economic development agencies and innovation consultants as relationship promotors and their specific strategies affecting the configuration of different innovation systems. It will be shown that the three regions – district of Oldenburg, Oldenburger Münsterland, Elbe-Weser region – adopt different strategies varying in terms of territorial dimension, range of actors and degree of networking. Basically, the configuration of regional innovation systems to a large extent depends on various sources of power of the operating promotors. Apart from three typical sources of power which can be found in the literature – social competence, networking knowledge, relationship patterns – the empirical analysis also reveals the reputation of relationship promotors as additional factor of being able to exert influence.

Current discourses on the agrifood sector indicate that issues like provenance, regionality or traceability are becoming more and more relevant. This also applies to the globalizing pork industry which is the focus of this paper. On the basis of a case study on the Oldenburger Münsterland, Northwest Germany, the impact of geographic origin effects on multiscalar networks of pork production is examined from the perspective of three conceptual frameworks (global production networks, commodity cultures, and imaginative geographies). The empirical findings based on expert interviews show that key actors of the pork industry (e.g. slaughterers, manufacturers, retailers) adopt specific strategies that are related to changing (and partly delusive) meanings of provenance and regionality. In this respect, several export-oriented firms emphasize a guaranteed German origin primarily in order to develop markets (particularly in East Asian countries). Regional and small-scale strategies, however, are obviously not of such a great importance as media-dominated discourses on geographic origins of foods would have us believe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hypichnium of a manus imprint (preserved as plaster cast) indicates for the first time the presence of the large pterosaur ichnotaxonPurbeckopuscf.pentadactylusDelair, 1963 in the late Berriasian of northwest Germany. It is only the second record ofPurbeckopusglobally and the first pterosaur track from Germany. It provides evidence of a very large pterosaur (wingspan c. 6 m) in this area and from this time period not yet represented by skeletal remains. When compared with the English type material, the specimen exhibits some differences that are related mostly to different properties of the substrate on which both were left. These include, in the German track, an impression of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint of the wing finger, normally not present in pterosaur tracks. Also interesting is the rather blunt termination of the deeply impressed digits I–III, indicating rather short and blunt claws, which seem more suitable for walking than for grasping or climbing. The specimens ofPurbeckopusin England and Germany occur in different environments: the English locality was situated close to a brackish lagoon, while the German site belongs to a limnic-deltaic system at the margin of a large, freshwater lake. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: During the Barremian–Early Aptian, the Lower Saxony Basin (LSB) of northwest Germany was covered by a shallow epicontinental sea where restricted conditions resulted in the formation of black shales. This study focuses on a 103-m-thick succession of Lower Barremian–Lower Aptian dark claystones and black shales exposed in a temporary road cut in northwest Germany (A39). Calcareous nannofossils and the δ13Corg record have been used to determine the timing of black shale deposition (Hauptblätterton, Blätterton, Fischschiefer events). Redox-sensitive trace elements indicate anoxic conditions with free H2S causing the formation of black shales and dysoxic conditions during deposition of the dark claystones. The palaeoecological reconstructions based on calcareous nannofossils suggest that during the Lower Barremian Hauptblätterton event a stratification of water masses existed, caused by high surface water temperatures and reduced terrigenous run-off. During the deposition of the Upper Barremian clay-Blätterton alternation warm surface water prevailed, accompanied by meso-eutrophic surface water conditions. The formation of the Barremian black shales was mainly caused by restricted conditions related to the palaeogeography and palaeoceanography of the LSB. Global processes associated with the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a most likely induced the deposition of the Lower Aptian Fischschiefer. High weathering rates, high primary production, and restricted conditions in the LSB led to increased burial of organic matter and thereby to the formation of the Fischschiefer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Regions and regional identity have become more important over the last decades. At the same time regions have become less discernable as distinct historically rooted spatial entities. Globalisation and the decline of collective identities through individualisation transform both this regional reality and how regions are conceptualised. This article analyses the shifts in types of regional identities used by regional administrations in an increasingly competitive environment. It uses the contrast between 'thick' traditional and historical rooted well-established regional identities, and 'thin' regional identities which are more transitory and focus more on economic competitiveness. These concepts are used to analyse the regional identity of regional administrations in Northwest Germany and the Netherlands. Hybrid regional identities combining a locally specific mix of thick and thin elements of regional identity, and which link up with regional identities at other relevant scales, appear to be the most effective regional identities for regional administrations facing the challenges of both globalisation and the decline in collective identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study presents a detailed continental palaeoclimate record for the Neogene of Northwestern Europe. Palynomorph samples from continental to marginal marine deposits in 5 correlated sections from the Lower Rhine Basin (NW Germany) covering the time-span from Burdigalian to Zanclean are analysed. Independent time-control in the sections is provided by sequence stratigraphy. Based on 1470 microfloras 3 temperature (mean annual temperature, warm and cold month mean) and 4 precipitation variables (mean annual precipitation, mean monthly precipitation in the driest, wettest and warmest month) are quantified using the Coexistence Approach, a method employing climate requirements of Nearest Living Relatives of fossil taxa. In face of known limitations in climatic resolution of microflora-based data, present results confirm the major trends in continental Neogene climate evolution of Northwestern Europe as previously reconstructed from macroflora and, in addition, reveal climate change on shorter time scales. Our data suggest a distinct coupling of continental climate with the marine environmental system. Phases of eustatic sea-level lowstand connected to Neogene glaciation events (Mi events) are mirrored in the continental curves. The continental records also show cyclicity at different scales and amplitudes. Small-scale climate variability we observe in the Mid-Miocene and the Tortonian most probably is paced by eccentricity (100 kyr cycles), in the later part of the Langhian and early Serravallian 400 kyr cycles are expressed as well. Along the time-span regarded climate variability is characterized by non-proportional changes of climate variables. During the Miocene, cooling - mainly expressed by a decrease in winter temperature - commonly was connected to drying. A substantial shift of the climate system is indicated for the Pliocene where warm periods tended to be summer-dry, at the same time higher amplitudes of short-term changes point to decreasing climate stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial and temporal repercussions of climate change are of an extremely complex nature. Coping with climate change is, first and foremost, a challenge to political decision making and, considering the long-term effects of the climate system, to planning. However, there have never been more doubts that the political-administrative system is able to meet these requirements. Although much evidence has been put forward in favor of such skepticism, sometimes, it is dangerous to overstate the existing limits. Drawing on two case studies in the area of flood risk management in Germany, the article illustrates how and why significant path change came about. In both cases, the state proved to still being a pivotal actor, due to a number of functions that cannot be assumed by other actors. However, other actor groups-such as actors from science, the media, NGOs, and citizen groups-play a significant role as well by providing relevant expertise and influencing the public discourse, thus mobilizing significant political pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

few years ago, a new relative sea-level curve for northwest Germany was constructed for the entire German North Sea coast. It is characterised by several suspected sea-level fluctuations. To test this curve for local effects, it was broken down into five relative sea-level curves representative for five coastal sections. The relative sea-level curves were corrected for tidal effects and also, a rough first correction for compaction was applied. The five curves all differ from the original curve and from each other. Most of the suspected sea-level fluctuations in the original curve cannot be supported and are discussed as data-artefacts or local effects. Around AD 800-1000 all curves show stagnation or drop of sea-level. Thus, this signal is discussed as of over-regional stratigraphic meaning. This study is a first step (1) to show that several curves are needed to demonstrate the Holocene sea-level history of such a big area as the entire German North Sea coast and (2) to establish reliable relative sea-level curves for the German North Sea coast. Further research is necessary to apply detailed corrections especially with respect to compaction-prone data and to improve the individual curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the opportunities and constraints regarding the effective implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the area of diffuse nitrate pollution. Owing to the subsidiarity principle and a new procedural mode of governance, the WFD only sets distinct environmental targets, leaving most decisions on how to operationalize and institutionalize the reduction of diffuse nitrate pollution to the member states. This is a particular challenge for Germany, where lower scale regions have become the main implementers of European water policy. Successful implementation of the WFD, i.e. the actual improvement of water quality, depends on a series of key contextual and contingent factors, operating at a regional scale. In a Northwest German region with intensive agriculture and severe nitrate pollution, we analyse the historical and economic context and actor network of the region as well as the influence of environmental groups on public participation, the potential of biogas technology and new financial options. Besides the specific influence of these factors on the implementation process, we explore the uncertainties and difficulties surrounding European legislation and its operationalization in Germany and on a regional scale. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two faunules of heteromorph ammonites (Polyptychoceratinae) are recorded from the vulgaris/stolleyi and minor/polyplocum zones (mid/upper Campanian) as exposed at the Teutonia Nord (Teutonia AG) quarry near Misburg (Lehrte West Syncline, Hannover area, northwest Germany). Four taxa are recognised: Oxybeloceras aff. crassum, Pseudoxybeloceras (Parasolenoceras) ?phaleratum, Solenoceras aff. texanum and Spiroxybeloceras? grande sp. nov. Species of Oxybeloceras, Solenoceras and Spiroxybeloceras are widely distributed in the upper Campanian of the Western Interior and the Atlantic Seaboard of the USA, where their stratigraphic ranges are well known. Comparison of the new northwest German records with these ranges suggests polyptychoceratines are less well suited for strict zone-level correlations than are co-occurring nostoceratid and scaphitid ammonites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article examines the high-resolution track horizon stratigraphy at the outcrop Obernkirchen. Massive sandstones, products of marine sand bar and fluviatile environments are present at the tracksite. Recently two track beds were examined in the outcrop. One new track slab of the lower track bed is described exposing well-preserved quadrupedal iguanodontid tracktypes of Iguanodontipus Sarjeant, Delair, and Lockley, 1998, and bipedal theropod tracks Megalosauropus Kaever and Lapparent, 1974. The ichnogenus Iguanodontipus is discussed and the diagnosis extended. The tracksite Obernkirchen belongs to a megatracksite of the ancient coastline of the marginal marine Hercynic Basin of the Lower Cretaceous of Europe, including the four well-known sites Obernkirchen, Bad Rehburg, Münchehagen, and Bückeburg of Northwest Germany. Three different tracktypes of huge sauropods, theropods, and ornithopods are abundant at basal Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic coastlines in different regions in Spain, Portugal, England, Germany, and Switzerland. Dinosaur tracks are also present in carbonate platform environments of northern Italy and Istria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to 1947, the Aptian/Albian boundary was placed at the base of the Nolaniceras nolani ammonite Zone. From (Trav. Lab. Ge´ol. Fac. Sci. 26 (1947) 17), until (Cret. Res. 20 (1999) 609), the base of the Albian stage has been taken at the first appearance of the ammonite Leymeriella (Proleymeriella) schrammeni, a species known only from a limited area of northwest Germany. The early succession of Leymeriella and its relationship with ammonite taxa from the underlying Hypacanthoplites jacobi ammonite Zone can only be determined in the northwest German sections, all of which are ephemeral clay pits. Thus, the definition of the base of the Albian on these criteria cannot be used in a global context. The positioning of the boundary has been the subject of intense discussion in the last years. After the second International Symposium on Cretaceous Stage Boundaries in 1995 (Bull. Inst. R. Sci. Nat. Belgique, Sci. Terre 66 (1996) 45). (Cret. Res. 20 (1999) 609) lowered the boundary to the base of his Hypacanthoplites rubricosus ammonite Subzone without describing a global boundary stratotype section. (Cret. Res. 21 (2000) 591) raised the boundary to the alleged first occurrence (FO) of Leymeriella tardefurcata in a permanent section, but neither proposals can be accepted globally (Cret. Res. 23 (2002) 1). (Cret. Res. 22 (2001) 677) supported by (Cret. Res. 23 (2002) 1), suggested a radical solution by raising the boundary to the base of the geographically widespread Lyelliceras lyelli ammonite Subzone, currently the base of the Middle Albian.In order to document accurately the classical northwest German succession of the Aptian/Albian boundary, a detailed multidisciplinary study has been made of a new section at Vo¨hrum (clay pit no. 4) with respect to its content of calcareous nannofossils, benthic foraminifera, planktonic foraminifera, ostracods, ammonites, as well as its clay mineralogy, gamma ray signature and tuff geochemistry. The ammonite succession, in particular the Callizoniceras–Leymeriella lineage, is discussed in detail. The FO of Leymeriella (Proleymeriella) schrammeni anterior, 0.65 m below a tuff horizon near the base of the section is taken as the Aptian/Albian boundary in the classical German sense. Sections in France are discussed and the Leymeriella lineage is reviewed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study provides new organic geochemical, organic petrological and isotope data on the Berriasian Wealden Shales, northwest Germany as well as new kinetic data on petroleum generation determined both for kerogen concentrates and whole rock samples. The kinetics were applied in numerical petroleum system models for two wells: one in the western Lower Saxony Basin (LSB) and the other one in the Pompeckj Block further north. The study increases the understanding on rate, conversion and timing of petroleum generation and is consistent with oil fields and prospects in the area, which was not the case in previous studies. The first facies of the Wealden 3–4 members is partly very rich in organic matter (TOC up to 21.85 wt%), the organic matter being composed almost exclusively of thin lamalginites. The second organic facies is characterized by lower TOC values (3.86–10.73 wt%) containing both Botryococcus algae and lamalginites. High atomic H/C and C/S ratios as well as the occurrence of Botryococcus algae prove a brackish–freshwater depositional environment with high HI values, which are typical of type I or type II kerogen. Broad n -alkane distributions without odd-even predominance are surprising in view of vitrinite reflectance, HI and T max data, which are typical of immature or early mature kerogen. Several biomarker indices indicate dysoxic/anoxic bottom water conditions and possibly water stratification, while the low steranes/terpanes ratio suggests a significant bacterial contribution to the organic matter. Low δ13C values (−28.5 to −34.5‰) are in line with previously obtained data for the Wealden and support the presence of microbial-derived kerogen. Low Pristane/Phytane, low Pristane/nC 17 and Phytane/nC 18 ratios and the absent odd-even predominance are regarded as a result of kerogen being derived from microbial rather than algal biomass; it is not related to thermal maturation. Lamalginite is in this case probably derived from microbial mats producing no chlorophyll and little sterane precursors. Deeper in the water or in the sediments, denitrification of the bacterial biomass took place leading to extraordinarily low nitrogen/carbon ratios and extraordinarily high ẟ15N values. The occurrence of H 2 S in the lower water column resulted in excellent organic matter preservation leading to very high TOC values (up to 21.8 wt%). Abundant framboidal pyrites indicate a microbial pyrite origin. The burial, thermal and maturity history calibrated by Easy%RoDL reveals that more erosion is required than assumed in previous studies to explain the present-day maturation in the western LSB and Pompeckj Block. In both wells (A, B), the Wealden source rocks experienced sufficient temperatures for hydrocarbon generation and primary migration. Kinetics obtained from kerogen concentrates indicate earlier generation (i.e. at slightly lower temperatures) than those from whole rock samples. The Botryococcus algae facies reveals lower transformation ratios at a given temperature history, suggesting that most of the oil was generated by the lamalginite facies. Significant and late (~40 million years ago; Lutetian) kerogen-to-oil conversion in the northern part of the study area lowers the charge risk in future conventional oil exploration. • Unusual organic geochemistry of organic rich Wealden shales, e.g. low pristane and phytane. • Extraordinarily high ẟ15N and low ẟ13C values prove unusual origin of organic matter. • New hydrocarbon generation kinetic data for lacustrine kerogen are presented. • The hydrocarbon generation history matches the known oil accumulations in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]