Field Excursion to Wangerland & Langeoog 2026
Between Dikes, Dunes and the Wadden Sea
During the 2026 Pentecost break, our Bachelor's students in Geography traded the lecture hall for the field. Together with Dr Mirijam Zickel, Dr Markus Rolf, and Lena Krebs, they embarked on a field excursion to the Lower Saxon North Sea coast. Based in the picturesque village of Accum in the Wangerland region, the group explored both the mainland and the island of Langeoog.
However, the North Sea coast is far more than a popular holiday destination. It is one of Germany's most dynamic landscapes, providing an ideal natural laboratory for investigating geomorphological processes and the influence of human activities on coastal environments.
How Did the Coast We See Today Develop?
The first focus of the excursion was coastal geomorphology and the evolution of the landscape throughout the Quaternary. Together, the students mapped coastal landforms, analysed different landscape units, and discussed the processes that have shaped the present-day coastline. A particularly fascinating question guided the fieldwork throughout the excursion:
How did today's North Sea coastline develop, and which traces of past glacial periods, sea-level changes, sedimentary processes, and landscape evolution can still be identified today?
Using geomorphological maps (Figure:Map of landscapes in Germany) alongside field observations, students interpreted dunes, marshes, and other characteristic coastal landforms directly in the field.
Soils Tell Stories
Not only landscapes, but also soils preserve valuable information about their formation. Using a Pürckhauer soil auger, the students collected soil samples along a coastal gradient extending from the tidal flats to the historic dwelling mounds (warfts). Afterwards, the soil profiles were analysed and compared in the Physical Geography Laboratory.
This allowed the students to investigate how different depositional environments and centuries of human land use have influenced soil development.
Coasts Are Cultural Landscapes
The present-day North Sea coast is by no means solely the product of natural processes. Dikes, warfts, and drainage systems have shaped the landscape for centuries, illustrating the close relationship between humans and the coastal environment. Throughout the excursion, students discussed how coastal protection measures and land use have transformed the landscape and how these interventions continue to influence both soil formation and geomorphological processes.
Plastic Knows No Tides
A second focus addressed a highly relevant environmental issue: macroplastic pollution along the North Sea coast. On Langeoog, the students investigated different beach environments, ranging from heavily frequented tourist beaches to more remote and undisturbed coastal sections. Standardised sampling plots were established using wooden stakes, all macroplastic debris within each plot was collected, and the material was subsequently analysed in the laboratory.
The aim was to compare differences in the quantity, composition, and distribution of stranded macroplastic between different coastal settings and to better understand how coastal morphology, hydrodynamic processes, and human activity influence the distribution of marine litter.
A Jever in Jever...
A guided walk across the Wadden Sea had originally been planned, but the North Sea weather had other ideas. Due to severe weather warnings, the programme had to be adjusted at short notice. Instead, the group visited the town of Jever, home to the famous Friesisches Brauhaus zu Jever. And, of course, when you're in Jever, enjoying a Jever in Jever is almost mandatory.
Sometimes, the best fieldwork memories are the ones you never planned.
Conclusion
Whether investigating coastal evolution, soil development, or anthropogenic influences, the excursion provided numerous opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge directly in the field. Because geography is about much more than reading maps, it's about understanding the processes that shape our landscapes.