News

How do animals move from one place to another, and what dangers do they come across along the way? During Berlin Science Week, author and researcher Sophia Kimmig will read from her book Move! and discuss the mysteries of animal movement, its connection to freedom and survival, and its relationship to the state of our environment with other researchers and the audience.

A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution sheds light on the relationship between biodiversity and the ecological functions of ponds in seven European countries. 

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has amended its coastal fisheries regulations; some of the provisions are based on the findings of IGB research.
 

A new study by the Cluster of Excellence ‘Science of Intelligence (SCIoI)’ on clonal mollies suggests that swarm behavior is not innate: During their first days of life, the fish still display distinct individual behaviors, and it is only around one month of age that they begin to form cohesive shoals, developing the coordinated movements characteristic of the group. However, several shoals of genetically identical clones begin to behave differently after a few weeks. 

Two researchers, one joint leadership: In our interview, Sabine Wollrab and Hans-Peter Grossart explain how, as a tandem, they share responsibility, combine their expertise, complement each other’s perspectives and shape the “Plankton and Microbial Ecology” department. In doing so, they talk not only about their work but also about personal experiences that have shaped their leadership style. This is the first time IGB has had a dual leadership team.

An international research team, in which the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) was involved, has compiled extensive information on zooplankton communities in 311 lakes and reservoirs. The new dataset enables a better understanding of changes in biodiversity in inland waters.

Chemicals from tire wear and pharmaceutical residues are ubiquitous in urban water bodies. This is shown by a new study of 43 ponds across Berlin. The research team, led by IGB, discovered that the extent of chemical pollution in the ponds is determined less by the degree of of surrounding built-up areas than by the type of water flowing into them. 

Over the past two decades, shrimp aquaculture has grown enormously worldwide and consumer awareness of ethical, environmental and sustainability issues has increased. A new IGB Manual provides guidance on how to assess animal welfare in shrimp aquaculture.