Perspectives for the lignite post-mining landscapes of the lignite mining landscapes under changing environmental conditions – what can we learn from a comparison between the Rhenish and the Lusatian regions in Germany?
- 1RWTH Aachen University, Department of Geography, Aachen, Germany (flehmkuhl@geo.rwth-aachen.de)
- 2Research Center Landscape Development and Mining Landscapes (FZLB), Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
- 3Chair of Geopedology and Landscape Development, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
- 4Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
- 5Chair of Hydrology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
- 6Faculty of Business and Economics, Chair of Management Accounting, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- 7Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- 8Institute of Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- 9Chair of Atmospheric Processes, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
- 10Chair of Economics, in particular environmental economics, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
The German government's decision to phase out lignite mining by 2038 or earlier, as recently 2030 has been agreed for the Rhineland, will trigger a number of transition processes in Germany's remaining lignite mining areas. The two largest lignite mining areas are located in geographically different regions: Rhineland in the west and Lusatia in the east. As the socio-economic and environmental conditions in these two mining areas are set to change dramatically, the German government has adopted extensive economic support measures. However, the environmental changes will also lead to changes in the ecosystem functions and services provided by the future post-mining landscapes.
Gerwin et al. (2023) compare the two main lignite producing regions of Germany in terms of their natural and cultural environments. The economic situation and its history are reflected and differences are outlined. Part of the differences in cultural development can be explained by the natural conditions, especially the edaphic factors and the climatic situation. Because of the specific geological settings, tailored mining technologies were developed and used in the two regions, with different effects on the resulting post-mining landscapes.
We conclude that the landscapes of Lusatia and the Rhineland have been radically restructured by the long and varied history of lignite mining. Both regions will change significantly as the mining industry continues to decline and is expected to cease altogether within the next decade. These changes in the post-mining landscapes and the ecosystem services will provide both challenges and opportunities. The preconditions for positive socio-economic development and for sustainable land use concepts that also consider ecological aspects are different for the two regions. The exchange of knowledge and experience between the two mining regions is crucial to the success of this major transformation process, despite, or perhaps because of, these differences.
Gerwin, W., Raab, T., Birkhofer, K., Hinz, C., Letmathe, P., Leuchner, M., Roß-Nickoll, M., Rüde, T., Trachte, K., Wätzold, F., Lehmkuhl, F. (2023): Perspectives of lignite post-mining landscapes under changing environmental conditions: what can we learn from a comparison between the Rhenish and Lusatian region in Germany? Environmental Sciences Europe 35:36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-023-00738-z
How to cite: Lehmkuhl, F., Gerwin, W., Raab, T., Birkhofer, K., Hinz, C., Letmathe, P., Leuchner, M., Roß-Nickoll, M., Rüde, T. R., Trachte, K., and Wätzold, F.: Perspectives for the lignite post-mining landscapes of the lignite mining landscapes under changing environmental conditions – what can we learn from a comparison between the Rhenish and the Lusatian regions in Germany?, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2791, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2791, 2024.
