Historical perspective of Dutch geomorphological research in the Gutland region in Luxembourg

Abstract

In the 1950s, geomorphological research by the University of Amsterdam broke with the traditional way of studying landforms by introducing laboratory research. Starting with grain size analysis and standard chemical analysis, it gradually extended to clay mineralogy, heavy mineral analysis, palynology and micromorphology. These methods were also used in Luxembourg, where research concentrated on past conditions: tropical weathering during the Tertiary and periglacial phenomena during the Pleistocene. In the 1970s, the emphasis in Luxembourg swung to present-day processes. This was a major parameter shift again requiring new research methods such as soil profile analysis for geomorphological reconstructions, and setting up hydrological field stations. Prevailing research subjects included cuesta formation by differential soil erosion, soil erosion in agricultural lands, and soil formation and erosion under forest with the role of rodents and earthworms. It was a prelude to the last decades, in which the role of litter quality and differences in pH, decomposition and mineralization of nutrients have been addressed.