The joint fieldwork of the subprojects C3, Z2 and Z3 in February and March 2019 was successfully completed. We were able to conduct UAV-based flights over several surfaces, in particular with the new and bigger UAV, equipped with specific sensors, including flights over tillandsia sites in the Atacama Desert (see Picture 1). Likewise, we revisited every weather station of our network for control and specific readjustments. All data, metadata, pictures and a visualization tool is available in the weather section of the CRC1211DB (https://www.crc1211db.uni-koeln.de/wd/index.php). After the strong rain events of January and February, we documented surface changes at several locations, and rainfall induced vegetation growth at unexpected places (see Picture 2 & 3).

During our campaign, we carried out several days of fieldwork on zebra stripe-covered hillslopes along the Paposo fault. Using the 10 m²-large irrigation device, we performed irrigation experiments in order to simulate heavy rainfall events, and to provoke overland flow and zebra stripe activity (Pictures 4 & 5). In addition, we carried out extensive morphometric analyses and sampling of zebra stripes (Picture 6). Further work included chronostratigraphical investigations and sediment sampling at a number of hillslope sites between Antofagasta and Pisagua, as well as the installation of soil water content and temperature monitoring sensors, which will capture important data for understanding local environmental conditions on both daily and annual time scales. Time-lapse cameras and a seismometer at one of our zebra stripe sites (aiming at unravelling a seismic shaking-related origin of zebra stripes) complement our monitoring network.

Finally, we carried out irrigation experiments using our (shower cabin-like) small irrigation device (Picture 7) during several days of joint fieldwork together with colleagues from subproject B05. The investigations aim at understanding in-soil colloid transport in different (CRC 1211 transect-related) areas of the Atacama. This work will be continued during the next years.

In the subproject B2 we investigate the evolution of insects in arid environments with emphasis on desert specialist such as the hyperdiverse tenebrionid beetles and silverfish. In the last years, three field trips have been undertaken to gain an overview of the species composition, genetic diversity and colonization history of these insects in the Chilean Atacama. The third field work December 2018/January 2019 completed the survey with an extensive use of pitfall traps along the different sections of the Chilean Atacama (Coastal Cordillera, Central Depression, Precordillera, Altiplano).

A real surprise was the identification of the Gondwanan relict silverfish Maindronia as THE DESERT ANIMAL.  Maindronia was found in hyperarid environments where no other animals could be observed. The first member of a previously undescribed tribe of tenebrionid beetles was found exclusively under salt crusts along salars. This is another example of adaptation to extreme habitats in the Atacama region. We are deciphering the key abiotic and biotic factors that determine(d) the current distribution of such extremophilous taxa in the hyperarid areas of the Atacama. 

With 5,531 oral presentation and 9,432 posters, the EGU General Assembly 2019 was one of the major events among the Geoscience community. Scientist from all over the globe gathered in Vienna to discuss research objectives and exchange ideas.

The CRC 1211 had the great pleasure to host a special session, a poster session and a ‘Townhall Meeting’. The objective of the session was to showcase the CRC research on the mutual evolutionary relationships between Earth surface processes and biota in arid to hyper-arid systems.

The concept of the Townhall meeting was to advertise the CRC to our peers and to facilitate contacts with fellow scientists that could become collaborators in the second phase. Both events were very well received, promoted scientific exchange and led to some great discussions.