Zur Bedeutung kaltzeitlicher Hangsedimente in zentraleuropäischen Mittelgebirgslandschaften und zu Fragen ihrer Terminologie

Cold climate slope deposits in Central Europe can be divided into three process groups with regard to their genesis. Periglacial slope deposits widely cover the relief as multi-layered head complexes. Glacial sediments are found as tills in upper elevations of the Highlands without forming moraines. Loess, loess loam and aeolian sands appear in the relief as aeolian sediments of the periglacial area in borders and in lobes. Pedogenesis, soil ecology and hydrology of an area in the Highlands are mostly influenced by cold climate slope deposits. From a geo-scientific and a landscape ecological point of view this fact underlines the importance of these deposits. The differentiation and classification of cold climate slope deposits follows an outdated pattern which needs to be rethought. The basis for that will be shown.