Geography in Basel : the integrative approach

The Department of Geography of the University of Basel views its different divisions as complementary disciplines which are committed to an integrated approach in geography. It is this philosophy which recently motivated the establishment of a new chair for Environmental Geosciences and Soil Science. At the centre of Geography at the University of Basel lies the relationship between humans and their environ¬ ment, viewed from a physical and human geographical perspective, and combined with biogeographical and climatological approaches.

of geography.Geography is concerned with the prob¬ lems resulting from interactions between humans and the environment and hence space -which is anything but a new idea (Barrows 1923; Neef 1969,1979; Stoddart 1965).Examples are problems related to urban ecology, urban economic and social geography, the landscape, water and nutrient balance in the soil as well as biogeographical and ecological problems related to climate change.In dealing with current problems arising from the use of physical space, basic principles for planning and environmental planning as well as for the sustainable use and protection of resources are being elaborated (Fig. 1).
Over the last two decades, the International Geo¬ graphical Union (IGU) in particular stood up for inte¬ grated man-environment research, as evidenced by numerous programmes and publications.Subject-speeifie problems were gradually put into a larger, inter¬ disciplinary context, as explained in «Understanding the Earth System» (Ehlers & Krafft 2001).Even from the political viewpoint of the discipline, this approach is increasingly becoming a guiding principle, as pointed out by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geog¬ raphie and supported in «Geographie heute -für die Welt von morgen» (Ehlers & Leser 2002).Intended for improving public relations, both the above com- municate the complexity of geographical reality.This is also reflected in the variety of authors representing completely different disciplines.
The different chapters are not only «up-to-date» in terms of focusing on man-environment problems but demonstrate that integrated, multi-diseiplinary approa¬ chesbased on more complex methodologies -yield more credible results.This reiterates what has already been stated before: geography by its very nature is transdiseiplinary, integrating a wide ränge of subjeet matters (Leser 2002).Another objeetive is to demon¬ strate that geographie research is concerned with real problems and conflicts arising from human-earth inter¬ actions.This implicates (1) a close relationship to prac¬ tice and need for applied research and (2) rejeetion of the limitations of diseiplinary research.Certainly, this approach responds to the needs of society -which are otherwise only partly appreciated by the scientific Community, at least not in their real complexity.This lack of societal focus is reflected in the unimpeded trend towards diseiplinary specialization in science.The research themes and projects presented in the following provide evidence that the department feels committed to both the theoretical basis of the dis¬ cipline of geography and the practical needs of the public.At the same time, they demonstrate the inherent transdiseiplinary concept of geography.
4.1 Physiogeography and landscape ecology Physiogeographical research is landscape ecological research (Fig. 2 and 3).This notion is founded on theo¬ retical grounds and on the inherent scientific concept (holistic, integrative, in    2002) gave a summary of the project (Fig. 4).
Long-term research is carried out on permanent plots which aresubject to real agricultural use.Data on element balances and erosion dynamics have been collected for about 20 years.They reflect changes in land use resulting from economic, eco¬ logical as well as political reasons.Data obtained in the field allowed for a comprehensive, comparative assessment of erosion modeis (Hebel 2003), revealing surprising results with respect to the validity of current modeis.
The project provides a framework for a variety of individual sub-projects, lasting from a few months to several years.These sub-projects are being imple¬ mented in collaboration with different institutional and private partners from the chemical industry, fed¬ eral research institutes, agricultural Colleges, agricul¬ tural field stations, authorities with an environment and soil protection mandate in municipalities as well as individual farmers.(Dräyer 1996).These projects aimed at developing landscape assessment schemes, thereby introducing a second research theme.
This approach involves investigations of the change of cultural landscapes, viewed from a human and landscape ecological perspective (Schneider-Sliwa, Schaub & Gerold 1999).It focuses on the integra¬ tive viewpoint of the real landscape, as put forward by Ehlers (1998).Humans stand in the centre because «nature» in the original sense (non-anthro-pogenic) hardly exists any more.Even the scientific concept of geography has been adapted to this approach.
Issues related to the change of landscapes could have been integrated into the Swiss Priority Pro¬ gramme (SPP) Environment of the Swiss National Science Foundation.However, they did not come to the attention of project leaders, in particular with respect to the scale and abiotic domain of landscapes and the relationship with elements of the cultural landscapes.On the basis of the so-called Biodiversity Project, the issues were eventually raised by the project «Comparison of Element Turnover in Differ-entTypes of Landscapes» (Ogermann 1999).Methodical-methodological reflections were presented by Leser & Schaub (1995), Leser & Nagel (1998), andfrom a practical viewpoint -by Leser (1997,  2002b).
Given that the research extended across different disciplines, the concept of transdisciplinarity was analysed as well (Leser 2002a;Potschin 2003).This research encouraged studies on landscape protection, directed towards the conservation of nature, geotopes and cultural landscapes.Many research projects are being conducted to this end, partially in collaboration with the Arbeitskreis Geoökologische Raumgliederung und Leistungs¬ vermögen des Landschaftshaushalts.
4.2 Human geography/urban and regional development Human geography research is concerned with the for¬ mation of living space by man and society and the con¬ sequences of spatial planning for man, society, the econ¬ omy and environment.These can be seen most clearly in agglomerations, which are the microcosm and research laboratory of society.TTiey are the places where human influences, social, ecological and economic problems are intensified and also where city-outskirts and urbanrural relations become blurred.The Human Geography Department in Basel has a threefold task in this field of investigation.Specifically, it aims to consolidate its strengths in areas of application and to deliver useful information for urban development policy, economic promotion, regional development in industrialized and developing nations, as well as decisions by firms -by means of regional Statistical studies, target group-oriented surveys of households and businesses, market and locational analyses and field studies in areas with delays in development (Fig. 5,6 and 7).
4.2.1 City and agglomeration -economic and social Systems in the city Cities are the most important living areas where one gains experience about the world population.Distri¬ bution, structure, and the dynamics of the urban popu¬ lation define Services of the public administration as well as the provision of housing, Jobs and education.Entrepreneurial decision-making is also dependent on the development of an agglomeration, the city and its districts.This research emphasis is dedicated towards demographic and social economic processes and structures in cities and their surrounding areas both in the local and regional context of Basel and the Southern Upper Rhine region and in metropolises worldwide.Examples for this kind of work -in connection with different Coop¬ eration partners such as the Statistical Authority of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, or the research group «Lifestyle, Social Position and Urban Structures» of the Academy for Environmental Planning and Regional Studies in Hanover, furthermore, Social Service Agencies of the Canton of Basel-Stadt are: Schneider-Sliwa et al. (1999,2001), which analyses the population and eco¬ nomic structures and processes in Basel; Egli (2001,   2003), which documents homelessness in Basel; Eder Sandtner (2001, 2004), which reveals the new seg- regation patterns in Basel, using block data for the entire city; Sahli & Schneider-Sliwa ( 2004); Schnei¬ der-Sliwa 2004, which analyses the cut-off problem quarters of the African and Maghreb peoples in Strasbourg; Kampschulte & Schneider-Sliwa   (1999), which choose as its central theme the image of Basel as a steering device of urban development.Various market studies analyze the Fig. 4: Multiple-step methodical concept for the determination of soil erosion and geoecological parameters: The Riedmattbach example.Mehrstufiges methodisches Konzept für die Bestimmung von Bodenerosion und geoökologischen Parametern: Das Beispiel des Riedmattbaches.Un concept multiple de progression methodique pour la determination de Verosion du sol et des parametres geoe- cologiques.L'exemple du Riedmattbach (la riviere du Riedmatt) Source: Prasuhn (1991) As well as dedicated to international metropolises undergoing radical change: Schneider-Sliwa (2002) with the example of the globalization and restructuring of Berlin, Brüssels, Hanoi, Ho-Chi-Minh City, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Moscow, St. Peters¬ burg, Sarajevo and Vienna; Breitung & Schnei¬ der-Sliwa (1997) with the example of Hong Kong; Breitung (2001), who as an example of political change investigates the social spatial repercussions and regional politics in Hong Kong after 1997; Brei¬ tung & Schneider-Sliwa (2000), who in the example of Berlin chose as the central theme the unified and divided city; Kampschulte (2002), who illuminated Vienna's new location between East and West. 4.2.2Regional economic developmentinterwoven relations across borders Globalization, technological change and efforts towards economic Integration change business cycles and loca- tional advantages and intensify regional competition.
This area of work investigates structural changes of economic areas and the devel¬ opment of Jobs, population and infrastructure, espe¬ cially in the tri-national border region of Basel, the Southern Upper Rhine region and Northwest Switzer¬ land, but also selected developing nations.The following individual projects are arranged here, which originated in Cooperation with the Statistical Authorities of the Canton Basel City as well as other cantonal and city authorities in Basel, surrounding municipalities and in institutions of tri-national Cooperation.They are con¬ cerned with the structure and dynamics of the economy in Northwest Switzerland in the context of globalization, e.g. by Schneider-Sliwa et al. (2001); Kampschulte & Strassmann (1999); Strassmann (2002); Strassmann, Frost & Brunner (2000).A further goal is to show the broad spectrum of regionally specific locational advantage needed for the development of a region well adapted for the future.Research on economic development across the borders carried out market studies in which approximately 12 000 people were surveyed between 1996 and 2000.Studies included are: Kamp¬ schulte & Schneider-Sliwa (2001); Kampschulte, Schneider-Sliwa & Zunzer (2002); Schneider-Sliwa (2003a); Schneider-Sliwa & Kampschulte (2002).The projects by Eder & Sandtner (2000) and Eder Sandtner & Sandtner (2002) concentrated on the development of a regional identity in the common economic area of the Upper Rhine.Border region research in other regional contexts was car¬ ried out by Kampschulte (1999a and b, 2000). 4.2.3Urban environment and sustainable landscape planning Settlements and economic growth create a cultural landscape in which the balance of the ecosystem and natural leisure areas for humans are increasingly being destroyed.This area of work is concerned with: Planning, which carefully and sustainingly manages the scarce resources of the environment in the city and regions Discerning an appropriate urban environment and development planning for target groups, the accept¬ ance of environmental protection and urban plan¬ ning measures among the population and open space planning and the development of a wholesome city, which does justice to all groups in society.Two projects are mentioned here: -In «Urban Environment in Old Age» (Schnei¬ der-Sliwa 2003c), in preparation for a planning model focussing on the elderly, a survey of around 7000 people between 60 and 85, investigated senior Citizen needs and requirements for alterna¬ tive living forms.
-In the project, «Road surfaces meeting the requirements of the handicapped» (Schneider-Sliwa 2003b), a study on inner city paving is being carried out, the results of which will allow for a paving which not only meets the require¬ ments of the handicapped but is also ecological and aesthetical.

Biogeography
JTie Institute for the Conservation of Nature, Landscape and Environment / Biogeography operates on the Inter¬ face between geography and biologyboth in teaching and basic and applied research.Its research focus is on the spatial analysis and evaluation of landscapes, using organisms as indicators.The causes for spatial patterns of biodiversity are a central theme within this research (bioindication, biomonitoring, State and dynamics of spe¬ cies distributions).Further topics include environmen¬ tal risk assessment and environmental management.The overall goal of the applied research is to develop and promote strategies for the sustainable development and use of landscapes and natural resources. 4.3.1 Ecology and protection of running waters River engineering, land use in catchment areas and chemical pollution affect the composition and dynam¬ ics of aquatic communities.Therefore, communities can be used as indicators of the ecological State of aquatic ecosystems.Our current research focuses on Springs of the Regio Basiliensis and aims to provide improved scientific understanding of basic ecological processes.The objective is to develop practical strategies and assessment methods for headwater monitoring, resto- ration and management.Basic research deals with hab¬ itat specificity and colonization strategies of the fauna adapted to these island habitats.In an interdisciplinary and transdiseiplinary approach, we classify different spring ecosystems and their characteristic fauna and flora, assess the degree of anthropogenic disturbances and evaluate possible restoration designs.
At the same time, techniques are being evaluated on how to exploit sources in a sustainable way for the provision of drinking water without compromising their potential as habitats for the flora and fauna.Experience in Basel has shown that it is possible to create ecologically valu¬ able landscapes in close proximity of urban areas by forming a mosaic of semi-natural floodplains and man-made ground water enrichment sites for drinking water pro¬ duction.Faunal studies here provided clear evidence of a functional similarity among semi-natural and man-made habitats.Furthermore, studies on the purification of per- colating water and ground water transport provided basic data for early warning Systems to detect reduetions in drinking water quality.Other research topics include the faunistics and ecology of groundwater fauna, biomonitoring of water quality and appraisals of river restorations.Settlements and cultural landscapes are designed according to the social and economic activities of man.
Our research aims to identify and analyse ecological and spatial characteristics of these areas and to apply this knowledge in designing strategies for an environmentally sound and ecologically sustainable urban and rural development.The prineipal goal is to incorporate environmental protection objeetives into the structural and functional design and development of urban and cultural landscapes.Questions about nature conserva¬ tion in settlement areas are just as much at the centre of attention as is basic research with feral pigeons as bioindicators of environmental pollution.
Further topics in this field of research include bioindication of anthropogenic, semi-natural habitats, using ground beetles, and the analysis of ecological functions of roof top gardens, in particular with respect to their role as Sur¬ rogate habitats and migration corridors for invertebrates.
In an interdisciplinary and transdiseiplinary approach, the greens in urban areas are assessed in regard to their differ¬ ent functions, and strategies are developed for the sustain¬ able preservation of their ecological functions.
Selected literature: Kaupp (1999); Lenzin et al. (2001); Luka et al. (1997); Nagel (1999Nagel ( , 2000)); Nagel et al. (1998,2001). 4.3.3Tropical resources management and development Cooperation Our research emphasis is on the ecological analysis and assessment of human impacts on subtropical and tropical landscape ecosystems and -in a national and international co-operation context -on the develop¬ ment of environmentally sound resource utilization strategies.Our work in this area at present focuses on various countries in inner tropical Africa (Fig. 8).
At the core are the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable methods and strategies for safeguarding agricultural production.Our research concentrates especially on ecological side-effects of classical, traditional, and more recently, biological and genetic control techniques against pests of crops and vectors of human and livestock diseases.
A second important research area is the development of adapted conservation strategies.This research focuses on the fragmentation of rain forest fauna.It evaluates possibilities to reduce fragmentation by creating net¬ works of alternative habitats such as certain plantation forests.The effectiveness of different species protection strategies is investigated, using a ränge of different indi¬ cator groups (wood-dwelling beetles, detritivorous inver¬ tebrates, primates).This research combines metapopulation modeis and molecular genetic analysis.Another project studies spatial and behavioural adaptations of larger game (antelopes, buffaloes, elephants)   Specht (2002); Stolz et al. (2002). 4.3.4Zoogeography and systematics The spatial analysis of species distribution patterns is an instrument of biogeographical research.Phylogenetic and systematic studies of selected animal groups and analyses of their present and past distribution are at the core of this research.These studies not only provide basic biogeographical data but contribute also to the reconstruetion and forecast of landscape dynamics as well as to species and landscape conservation pro¬ grammes.The research groups focus on the zoogeog¬ raphy and systematics of the following taxa: carabidae- paussinae (worldwide), cicadas (selected European taxa) and ants (especially Neotropis).For behavioural and ecological studies under laboratory conditions, rearing facilities have been established for some of these taxa.At present, molecular genetic methods are being used mainly to reconstruet the formation of relict distribution areas of carabids.The ecology of terrestrial island biotopes is being investigated, using the examples of central European scree slope ecosys¬ tems.The research is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Swiss National Science Foundation.It is organized as a research partnership between the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences ofthe University Abomey-Calavi, Benin, and the Institute for Environmental Sciences/Biogeography ofthe University of Basel.Teammitglieder des SNF-und DEZA-unterstützten Forschungprojekts «Nachhaltige Bewahrung der Biodiversität im Lamawald, Benin» im Gelände in Süd-Benin im Mai 2001.Quelques representants du projet «Conservation de la biodiversite de la foret de Lama, Benin», sur le terrain en mai2001.

Photo: R. Peveling
Selected literature: De Andrade & Baroni Urbani (1999); Giulio di et al. (2003); Möseler & Molenda (1999); Mühlethaler & Nagel (2001); Nagel (1997).  .4 Meteorology and remote sensing The scientific formulation of questions at the Institute for Meteorology, Climatology and Remote Sensing concentrates on the topics of experimental micrometeorology; topoclimatological differentiation of the land¬ scape and the conversion of these results for urban and regional planning; the use of satellite data and numerical modeis for spatial analysis of meteorological fields, especially radiation and heat fluxes; as well as the implementation of a numerical model for weather forecasting, whereby short term forecasts (now-casting) is prevalent (Fig. 9). 4.4.1 Experimental micrometeorology Experimental micrometeorology investigates the exchange of water, heat and carbon dioxide on dif¬ ferent surfaces on the interface between the earth's surface and the atmosphere.Meteorology Basel is represented in international projects in various cli¬ mate zones of the Earth.Naturally, the region of Basel plays a dominant role in the research projects.
However, projects in the Alps, in the Mediterranean region, in Northern Scandinavia, in the Spitzbergen Island and California are also carried out.TTie formu¬ lation of questions Covers a wide spectrum, ranging from the diffusion of harmful substances over cities and the examination of the turbulent heat exchanges to questions on water use for agriculture in arid regions of the Mediterranean and the energetic con¬ ditions, which produce extreme instances of snowmelts (slush flows) in Polar Regions.
References: Feigen winter (2000); Vogt & Feigenwin¬  ter (2000); Bernhofer & Vogt (2000); Feigenwinter et al. (2000); Gude et al. (2000); Feigenwinter et  al. (1999); Gude & Scherer (1999); Parlow (1998b);  Photo: MCR Lab etation and the atmosphere.Mesoscale modeis cal¬ culate the consequences of topography and land use on the atmosphere and help to make assessments on local effects for weather forecasts, traffic safety and planning.Real time modeis for the whole of Europe and high-resolution forecasts for the region of northwestern Switzerland are calculated on a daily basis at the University of Basel and published on the Inter¬ net at (www.unibas.ch/geo/wetter).Local effects, such as the Möhlin Jet, which in winter leads to the dis- solution of fog in the region of Basel, can be modeled and studied on the Computer.By means of the following projects: REKLIP (Regio-Klimaprojekt), KABA (Klimaanalyse beider Basel) and CAMPAS (Klimaanlayse des Kantons Solothurn), many years of experience in the application oriented evaluation of measurement data, model calculations and satel¬ lite data, especially for urban and regional planning,  4.4.3Remote sensing Remote sensing is the measurement and Observation of the Earth's surface and the atmosphere without contact (Fig. 10).It can be carried out from the ground or with the aid of airplanes and satellites and delivers surface covering measurements on varying spatial and temporal scales.The University of Basel participates in various national and international remote-sensing projects, which Stretch from the high Arctic Circle over the Alpine region to subtropical regions and are concerned mainly with radiation and heat balances.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an important project partner.In combination with micrometeorol¬ ogy, which works with individual measurement loca- tions, spatially differentiated Statements about heat fluxes in consideration of relief and land use effects are possible.Urban climatology is of great importance.Satellite Systems, which are used most frequently, are the LANDSAT-ETM and ASTER, which possess spa¬ tial resolutions up to 15 m in various spectral ranges (NOAA-AVHRR and MODIS, as well as microwave Systems such as ERS-1/2 and ENVISAT). 4.5 Environmental geosciences and soil science 4.5.1 General directions In January 2004, a new institute for Environmental Geosciences and Soil Sciences is planned to be opened.The focus of the research group will be on interdisciplinary geoscientific research.The goal is to understand and to assess the context of ecosystems in the lithosphere, pedosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and anthroposphere (Fig. 11).
Only if the function and interaction of these different spheres is understood, can the environment be protected from disturbance and human impact.Thus, the research group will concentrate in particular on the pedosphere, with special attention being paid to the coupling and interaction between the cycles of ele¬ ments (carbon, nitrogen, sulfate, nutrients) in semi¬ natural ecosystems.
Within this area, the focus will be on changes in the cycles of elements but also on changes regarding the coupling of these cycles due to altered climate and environmental conditions.It is, for example, largely unknown how mineralization rates of sulphate and nitrogen react to a decrease in anthropogenic deposition with a concurrent change of climate.A change in the mineralization rates, however, generally exerts pro«»; pöj l !¦ lii* fr : NbirtÄa»««» .rWÄäÄjüW^^lteÄ wimmtMß-i/wmM m«» il t r;.ipi3iioiii»i ^¦ißtitmlamißm* tim ¦¦Sil llärf ..o 0, o. ,%.::Af:~>its, '¦ *".." ,,o,hi;i*i«.¦ o;IBip«oo, -"OooiÄiJSpioioimJL »j SOili jlfil>o Ilpiffci ¦ 11Pf o»Ö sms *»&*< iipiiiiiisiiiiisffliiiWiiifc, ^p^^^^^^iMK i» iiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiijiiisiiii great influence generally on substance balances and on phenomena such as nitrogen Saturation of ecosys¬ tems, reversibility of water acidification, or the buffer capacity of the soil.An important aspect will also be the restoration of ecosystems -especially soil remediation.

Methods
Besides general biogeochemical methods and analy¬ sis, an important tool will be that used for the investi¬ gation of stable isotopes (15N, lsO,34S, 13C).The emphasis in this area will be on field investigations, because the transference of results from laboratory experiments to real situations is only possible on a limited scale.
Regarding methodology, the Environmental Geo¬ sciences and Soil Sciences research group aims towards interdisciplinary Cooperation.Only by using a combi¬ nation of methods (e.g.results from biogeochemical analysis, stable isotope data and modelling) will it be possible to describe the complex behaviour of ecosys¬ tems as well as the complex course of events that take place in the soil.

Fig. 11 :
Fig. 11: Visual representation of environmental geoscience Visuelle Definition der Umweltgeowissenschaften Definition visuelle des geosciences environnementales Soil erosion and element balance in landscapesThis project represents the traditional field of BaseTs physiogeography.It originally began with soil erosion research and was developed to find a suitable field method.An overview is given in the publication list of the «Research Group Soil Erosion Basel» (Geographic Institute Basel, Forschungsgruppe Boden¬ erosionBasel 2003).What is it about?The abiotic geo-ecological factors, geo-relief and soil -adapted to the geo-ecosystem model -are central 4.1.1 in einem Gewässer charakterisieren.Les rapports qui definissent une eau peuvent etre caracterises par des mesures limnoecologiques.Photo: O. Stucki area in the municipality of Rothenfluh (Canton of Baselland).It focuses on phosphorus turnover relevant for agriculture and nutrient balances.Leser et al. ( Recent accounts of the results were presented by Rüttimann (2001) on the cultivation of maize, by Böhm (2003) on soil erosion in military training grounds, by Hebel (2003) on the comparison of ero¬ sion modeis and by Marxer (2003) on fire ecology.