Planetary Futures Wettbewerb Vol. III (2024/2025)
Desert Pavements – A Geomorphological and Geoecological Phenomenon of Global Significance
organized by: Markus Fuchs
An interdisciplinary approach towards a holistic understanding of desert pavements, their dynamics and global climatic and geoecological significance
Desert pavements are global phenomena in arid environments, representing one of the most extensive geomorphological and geoecological systems on Earth. To a significant extent they determine the interplay of key processes governing current and past landscape dynamics: landform evolution, surface runoff, soil water dynamics, weathering and soil formation, microbial activity, dust deposition and entrainment into the atmosphere. Hence, the characteristics of desert pavements and their future trajectories of change have a strong local to global impact on related earth and atmosphere system components. To unfold the complexity of the role that desert pavements play in the earth surface–atmosphere system, a holistic approach is needed. With this research objective, a team of researchers from various disciplines (geomorphology, soil science, geomicrobiology, atmospheric and data sciences) is investigating desert pavements and their local to global importance within the geoecological and atmospheric system at key sites in southern Namibia.
Gefördert durch das Panel on Planetary Thinking, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen
Updates from the Field
This fall, the interdisciplinary research team has successfully completed their field trip in southern Namibia—taking an important step toward deepening our understanding of these widespread yet understudied surface formations. Their investigations span geomorphology, soil science, geomicrobiology, and atmospheric and data sciences, bringing together crucial insights into how desert pavements influence landform evolution, soil water dynamics, microbial activity, and dust transport.
As a result of their trip, the team has submitted a funding application to the German Research Foundation to advance their research in a larger context. We’re holding our thumbs for a positive outcome and look forward to seeing this work continue to unfold!
All photos by Markus Fuchs:
