Lecture series in Ecology and Environmental Research SS 2016

The Anthropocene - is there a case for a new geological epoch?

Since its introduction by the atmospheric chemistry the term 'Anthropocene' experienced an almost inflationary use. At first glance, for many disciplines the concept of an age characterized by human-induced climate and environmental change is attractive. Even the International Commission on Stratigraphy examines whether the Anthropocene should be formally recognized as new geological era.

On closer inspection, however, numerous difficulties occur, and especially the begin of this new era is difficult to grasp. This is particularly evident in the dynamics of the earth's surface: In many landscapes, changes directly and indirectly caused by humans are more powerful than the 'natural' processes already for thousands of years. In this talk, the problem of spatio-temporal discontinuity of the Anthropocene is illustrated using examples from Central Europe, and a rigid definition is rejected.

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invited by Ludwig Zöller, Geomorphology

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