Interactions of land use, climate and soil development in the context of settlement history in the Decapolis-Region (Northern Jordan)

一些作者认为，约旦和黎凡特的土壤严重退化是农业管理不善和毁林造成的。这一观点解释了城市的衰落和废弃等历史发展。然而，目前尚不清楚目前的侵蚀是否仅仅是土地使用或自上一个冰河时代以来逐渐变暖的功能。历史领域系统部分保存，并反映了不同的土壤开发，这表明土地利用的影响可能比以前假设的更复杂，破坏性更小。该项目旨在更好地了解土壤干旱景观的变化及其与土地使用系统和气候变化的关系。它适用于土壤和崩积物，考古材料，田间系统和历史来源的比较分析。评估结果将考虑到未来可能的发展和气候变化。

Several authors postulated that severe degradation of soils in Jordan and the Levant was caused by agricultural mismanagement and deforestation. This idea served as explanation of historic developments like decay and abandonment of cities. However it is not yet clarified whether the present erosion is merely a function of land use or gradual warming since the last ice age. Historic field systems were partially preserved and are reflected by distinct soil development, indicating that the impact of land use could be more complex and less devastating than previously assumed. The project aims to acquire a better understanding of soil arid landscape transformation, its relation to land use systems and to climate change. It applies a comparative analysis of soils and colluvia, archaeological material, field systems and historic sources. The results will be evaluated with regard to possible future development and climate change.