Physiogeographical field course

Despite COVID-19 the field class in physical geography took place in October 2020 in Rechnitz. Students and teaching staff enjoyed the possibility of face-to-face teaching!

In wonderful late summer weather and with lots of fun, the three student groups were able to apply the geoecological methods of the disciplines of Soil science, Climatology, Vegetation ecology and Hydrology in the geologically exciting terrain within the Rechnitz Window to answer or test their questions/hypotheses.

In doing so, they came across exciting results and findings. Investigations of a slope clearly showed the linkage of relief and appearance of sampled soil profiles along a soil catena. In addition to leaching of lime along the toposequence, different thicknesses of the topsoil could be observed.

Measurements of phosphate and ammonium using field photometers revealed anthropogenic influences on water quality of different streams.

Analyses of landscape elements showed that hedges can serve as shelter breaks, present movement corridors in agricultural land, and provide habitat for a wide variety of animal and plant species. Vegetation surveys were made during the characterization of different sites and indicator plants were used for further site analysis.

Thank you for the good time!