This September, we, the PhD students Robert Hadfield (subproject C07), Julia Simonis (subproject B07) and Marianela Marino (subproject B01) and the Master student Socha Geirises (subproject B08), had the opportunity to take part in the Summer School at the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute in Namibia. The training was conducted by experts including Prof. Dr. Dietmar Quandt (the Bonn Institute for Organismic Biology, University of Bonn), Terry Hedderson  ( Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town), Prof. Dr. Julia Bechteler ( Senckenberg Institute for Plant Form and Function (SIP), University of Jena), and Dr. Eugene Marais (Gobabeb Namib Research Institute). The program not only offered hands-on training in modern biodiversity research methods but also gave us the chance to gain practical experience in the lab and to contribute our own expertise.

During the weeklong workshop, we were taught the fundamentals of phylogenetics in a series of lectures, learning how DNA sequences can be used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a species and which models/approaches are best suited for the analyses. The theoretical part was complemented with practical sessions. We went into the field to collect plant samples from which we then extracted DNA in the lab. We learned how to create and improve sequence alignments and how to run different types of analyses, giving us the opportunity to apply the knowledge we had gained during the lectures.

In the field excursions, we encountered a fascinating array of plant and animal species, all remarkably well adapted to the extremely arid conditions of the Namib Desert, like the fascinating Welwitchia mirabilis, a plant endemic to this region.

During our stay in Namibia, we, Julia and Nela, also had the opportunity to see Kissenia, a plant genus that is of particular interest to us as it is related to Huidobria—an endemic genus of the Atacama Desert in Chile and the central focus of our ongoing research projects. Observing Kissenia in its natural habitat allowed us to draw exciting parallels and contrasts between these two genera. These insights will serve as a valuable comparative model, helping us to understand the evolutionary and ecological adaptations of Huidobria in the Atacama.

It is remarkable how the arid environment harbors such impressive biodiversity, with species displaying fascinating adaptations to extreme water limitations. Gaining a deeper understanding of these coping mechanisms is not only crucial for their conservation but also provides valuable insights that can help us respond to the challenges of accelerated climate change.

Day1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8

all Pictures © Benni Ritter-Prinz, Hannah Hartung & Damián A. López

Day 1:
The introduction excursion of the CRC1211 started on Sunday 9/03/25 going from Antofagasta to Taltal with various stops along the road.

Day 2:
Focus area of the second day was the Paposo transect.

Day 3:
Visiting the sampling site of the irrigation experiment. We explored alluvial fan deposits along the coastal road from Taltal to Antofagasta and meeting up with the B project to learn something about Huidobria in the Quebrada systems in the Atacama Desert. 

Day 4: “From dust to crust” (Benni)
Long drive from Mejillones to Pica. Passing by Salar Grande exploring some gypsum crusts, Tillandsia dunes and tephra layers of the coastal cordillera.

Day 5: Lamas, Lamas, Lamas
Visiting Salar del Huasco and project D03. We saw Lamas, Nandus, Flamingoes and learned something about isotopes and water inflow.

Day 6:
First stop at hyper arid core of the Atacama Desert. Gypsum crusts form in the shape of polygons here - Maindronia (Insecta: Zygentoma) lives there, but we did not see one. Short stop at Salar Grande visiting a salt mine. We had lunch at a site where Tillandsia Lomas occur. Highlight of the day was the visit at Rio Loa canyon viewpoint with a dusty rough ride. 

Day 7: Genesis of the CRC
Visiting the maybe oldest surface on Earth to be able to walk on from the Miocene/Eocene (Dunai et al., 2005/ Ritter et al. in prep.). Did some Chilean history by visiting Pisagua. Lunch at Quebrada Tiliviche.

Day 8: Aroma Transect
From Miocene to recent - visiting the alluvial fan of the Quebrada Aroma: an altitude transect (1200-2500 m) from hyper arid to arid/semi-arid conditions.

Following successful and fruitful collaboration between the SERNAGEOMIN and CRC 1211 since its start in 2016, subproject C02 was invited to present the major results of their research as well as their ideas and objectives for the current, final funding phase to the public. Prof. Frank Lehmkuhl, Dr. Janek Walk, and Dr. Joel Mohren gave presentations as part of the SERNAGEOMIN ‘Ciclo de Geocharlas’ 2025 on the 17^th of March at the Andrés Bello University in Santiago de Chile. Moderated by our longtime collaborator Andrés Quezada, C02 took the attendees on a scientific tour on the characteristics of alluvial fans and their function as geo-archives – from a global perspective to the extreme dryland environments in the Atacama and Namib Deserts. 

In the first presentation, Prof. Frank Lehmkuhl gave an overview of the CRC’s structure before presenting a review of alluvial fans in hot and cold deserts. Following on the global perspectives, he linked the findings to the overall research objectives of subproject C02 and summarized the evolution of the project from the first (2016–2020) to the third (2024–2028) funding phase. Subsequently, Dr. Janek Walk gave a holistic insight into the landform characteristics, processes, and evolution of Atacama’s coastal alluvial fans. This included the main findings of his dissertation during the CRC’s first phase as well as the resulting second-phase and ongoing studies at the coast of the Atacama Desert. To conclude the lecture trilogy, Dr. Joel Mohren, postdoctoral researcher in C02 during the second phase, compared the alluvial fan systems between the core Atacama Desert and the arid to hyperarid Skeleton Coast in Namibia. Investigated across transects, the current state of morphometric as well as geochronological results and preliminary deductions were presented. Each presentation was followed by a discussion involving both the attendees in the hall as well as the virtual ones.

All three presentations were live-streamed and are available online via the SERANGEOMIN Youtube channel.

On the following day, C02 started their three-week field campaign to the eastern Atacama Desert and Altiplano – again supported, among others, by Andrés Quezada for over a week.

Subproject C02 presenting their research at the Andrés Bello University in Santiago; (left) Prof. Frank Lehmkuhl, (centre) Dr. Janek Walk, (right) Dr. Joel Mohren
Photo: SERNAGEOMIN

We recently kicked off the third funding period of CRC 1211 with an exciting two-day retreat in Bonn organized by the IRTG. It was the perfect opportunity for us PhDs to dive into the projects, connect with the IRTG, and get to know one another.

 
The retreat began with impressive presentations from CRC speakers and PIs, who gave us a comprehensive overview of the subprojects and their connections. Coming from such diverse academic backgrounds, we found this big-picture perspective essential to understanding how all the pieces fit together. It was great to finally put faces to the names of our PIs and learn more about what our fellow PhDs are working on day-to-day.

Photo: Christian Tiede

Afterward, we moved into a dynamic group workshop led by Dr. Benjamin Hartwig from Neuroblitz (www.Neuroblitz.de). Through inspiring activities, he encouraged us to actively see, hear, and collaborate with one another, strengthening our connections as a team.

We wrapped up the day with some well-earned downtime - complete with cold beers and a competitive game of Kegeln in the cozy basement of Haus Venusberg, where most of us stayed the night. Spirits were high, and the festive atmosphere made us even more excited about the upcoming field trip to Chile!

Photo: Hannah Hartung

Day two extended the workshop with more engaging group exercises, ending in the presentation of our unique “PhD Survival Kits.” Each group brought their own creative twist to the challenge, presenting through an art gallery, a personal story, a decision-driven adventure narrative, and even a quiz show!

Photo: Hannah Hartung

These activities were not only enjoyable but also provided valuable insights into managing the challenges of the PhD journey while strengthening our connections as colleagues and friends.

Looking back on these two incredible days, it’s clear we achieved more than just sharing knowledge and insights. We built a sense of community, both professionally and personally, that we’ll carry forward as we prepare for the next adventure: exploring the Atacama Desert together.

Here’s to the start of an exciting new chapter for CRC 1211!

Photo: Hannah Hartung

Text: Greta Kautz, Katrin Morr