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Johannes Graupner

IGB gives feedback on the National Biodiversity Strategy 2030

Take better account of ecosystems and biodiversity of inland waters
The German federal government has asked for feedback on its draft of the National Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The IGB has taken this as an opportunity to comment on the contents from a research perspective - and is also publishing the analysis publicly here.

Photo: Micha Sager on Pixabay

In their feedback, the IGB scientists agree that the majority of the goals pursued so far in the strategy have not been achieved by 2020 and that the further loss of biodiversity in Germany could not be halted.

From a scientific point of view, the current draft only sets out the minimum that should not be fallen short of in the political process if a minimum level of aquatic ecological biodiversity - also as a basis for human life - is to be preserved.
Particularly important from a research perspective is the statement in the draft text that targets alone cannot solve crises and that significantly improved implementation is necessary. Particularly in water policy, a very strong implementation deficit must be stated for inland waters, as has been noted for years with the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), for example. Holistic approaches - which must then also be politically binding across ministries and policy fields - are more demanding, but also promise significantly greater efficiency and sustainability.

Overall, the IGB researchers emphasise that inland waters are not yet sufficiently considered and integrated in the current strategy draft. Comments were also made on important detail aspects of the strategy, for example restoration, connectivity and the associated hydropower issue, nutrient and chemical inputs and the future of biodiversity research.

The entire IGB feedback (in German) can be downloaded from the website here.

Contact person

Sami Domisch

Research Group Leader
Research group
Global Freshwater Biodiversity, Biogeography and Conservation

Jörn Gessner

Research Group Leader
Research group
Reintroduction of the European Sturgeon to Germany

Sabine Hilt

Research Group Leader
Research group
Aquatic-Terrestrial Coupling and Regime Shifts

Sonja Jähnig

Head of Department
Research group
Aquatic Ecogeography

Sibylle Schroer

Scientific Coordinator Sustainability Research
Research group
Light Pollution and Ecophysiology

Matthias Stöck

Research Group Leader
Research group
Genetics and Evolution of Fish (and other Vertebrates)

Markus Venohr

Programme Area Speaker
Research group
River System Modelling
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