(Dept. 1) Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry
Our vision is to strive towards a world with safe, clean, and abundant water for people and ecosystems alike, where coupled aquatic-terrestrial freshwater systems stay functional and resilient under global change. Department 1 is recognised internationally as the beacon for understanding how coupled landscapes and water function in the Anthropocene; from headwaters to continents, from aquifers to cities.
To achieve this goal, we decode the ecohydrological and biogeochemical structures and functions of coupled aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, from molecular to continental scales, to safeguard the sustainability of freshwaters.
We aim to understand how green water and blue water interact across natural, rural, and urban landscapes, and to translate that understanding into water security.
We do this by:
- Resolving the physical and biogeochemical drivers that shape freshwater systems, from the molecular signature of dissolved matter to continental-scale transport.
- Integrating field and laboratory experiments, large-scale manipulations, long-term observations, and modelling anchored by our tracer and stable-isotope expertise and our institute-wide analytical infrastructure.
- Sustaining the functioning of these coupled systems by translating that understanding into evidence for management, restoration, and water security.
- Connecting freshwater disciplines, data, and people, so the science reaches the water users and decision-makers who need it.
Landscape Ecohydrology, Research group of Dörthe Tetzlaff, Graphic: Dörthe Tetzlaff / IGB
Ground Water-Surface Water Interactions, Research group of Jörg Lewandowski, Graphic: Jörg Lewandowski / IGB
Physical Limnology, Research group of Georgiy Kirillin, Graphic: Georgiy Kirillin / IGB
Organic Contaminants, Research group of Stephanie Spahr, Graphic: Stephanie Spahr / IGB
Ecohydraulics, Research group of Alexander Sukhodolov, Graphic: Alexander Sukhodolov / IGB
Nutrient Cycles and Chemical Analytics, Research group of Tobias Goldhammer, Graphic: Tobias Goldhammer / IGB
River System Modelling, Research group of Markus Venohr, Graphic: Markus Venohr / IGB
Biogeochemical Processes in Sediments and Lake Management, Research group of Michael Hupfer, Graphic: Michael Hupfer / IGB
Ecohydrological Processes of Urban Ecosystems, Research group of Maria Warter, Graphic: Maria Warter / IGB
Aquatic Biogeochemistry of Carbon, Research group of Erika Freeman, Graphik: Erika Freeman / IGB
Ecohydrological Modelling under Global Change, Research group of Christian Birkel, Graphik: Christian Birkel / IGB
Research groups
Department members
Selected publications
High-Resolution Regional Atmospheric Simulation of Precipitation and Isotopes in Central America
The authors used an isotope-enabled spectral model to improve the simulation of precipitation and its isotopic composition over Costa Rica to assess the feasibility of using atmospheric model outputs as forcing data for ecohydrological models. When simulating long-term hydrological processes the model outputs provide a reliable source of forcing data and can be used for hydrological forecasts.
Tracing the occurrence and spatial drivers of organic contaminants in urban ponds along urbanization gradients
This study presents a multi-tracer approach to investigate the impacts of urbanization on pond pollution at the city-scale, linking trace organic contaminant data, urban hydrology, and urbanization measures. In Berlin, urban ponds contained a wide variety of dissolved organic contaminants, with water inflow being a more important driver of high contaminant concentrations than surrounding land use.
Exploring impacts of forest management strategies on water partitioning in a drought-sensitive catchment using a tracer-aided ecohydrological framework
The authors developed a parsimonious, tracer-aided forest management scenario framework using an ecohydrological model, which was designed to isolate the dominant vegetation-structural controls on long-term water partitioning. Evapotranspiration was highest under conifers, exceeding broadleaf forests and agroforestry by 7 % and 11 %. Agroforestry exhibited the greatest groundwater recharge.
Prediction of Hydroclimatic Anomalies Using a New Isotope Precipitation Index
The authors used stable water isotopes to trace the origin of precipitation and are developing a new, isotope-based Evaporation and Moisture Recycling Index (iEMI). The iEMI can identify anomalous dry periods and links evaporation-driven precipitation to droughts in Europe, Africa, and Australia. This innovative index can help improve drought monitoring and optimize water management worldwide.
Effects of temporary streamflow interruption on hyporheic oxygen dynamics
This study provides high-resolution, field-based evidence of the importance of accounting for short-term flow interruptions in river management strategies. It demonstrated that a one-day streamflow interruption of the side channel of the River Erpe caused a significant decrease in diel surface water oxygen amplitude and porewater oxygen concentrations, as well as a metabolic shift after rewetting.
