- Activites in autumn 2005
Since 2005 the artificial watershed Chicken Creek offers multiple opportunities to explore the initial phase of ecosystem development starting from a well defined "point zero". Situated in the post mining area of a lignite open-cast mine in Lowe Lusatia (eastern Germany) optimum conditions for interdisciplinary ecosystem research are available.
- Summer 2011
The ongoing primary succession is not influenced by anthropogenic measurements so that self-organization of ecosystems as well as the development of structural elements and patterns can be observed in both terrestrial and aquatic sub-systems. The construction of the 6 ha large site allows for the development of a local groundwater body enabling investigations of feedbacks between e.g. hydrological and geomorphic or botanic structural elements. In addition, the formation of a pond was allowed to elucidate interactions between terrestrial and aquatic sub-systems.
[read more about construction and inner structure ...]
The worlwide unique oportunities offered by the artificial watershed Chicken Creek provide a basis for different research projects. An overview of currently running and already finished research projects at the Chicken Creek catchment is available here.
- Monitoring installations
The evolution of the Chicken Creek Catchment is observed by a comprehensive ecological monitoring program since September 2005. Data is available for all research partners of the Chicken Creek Project. Monitoring results are published freely accessible in the "Ecosystem Development" series. A webcam illustrates the situation of the Chicken Creek Catchment twice a day.
