Maria Warter: “Berlin needs more blue-green infrastructure”

Ms Warter, you are investigating the state of urban freshwater ecosystems and their water balance, using Berlin as a case study. What challenges do small still waters or small streams such as the Panke and the Erpe have to overcome? 

Smaller water bodies in Berlin are facing the consequences of reduced water quality and quantity. Water quality in particular is inadequate in many urban freshwater ecosystems due to the introduction of pollutants. After periods of extreme rainfall, surface runoff from roads and other urban areas carries more pollutants into the water. During dry periods, higher concentrations of pollutants are also observed because they are less diluted. Water availability is an important issue: many small bodies of water are drying up more frequently, resulting in the loss of valuable aquatic habitats for animals and plants. These dynamics are particularly evident in the River Wuhle. In summer, sections of the Wuhle completely dry up. This poses a major challenge to the functionality of blue-green infrastructure and raises the question of how we can better protect our urban freshwater ecosystems in future. My research group and I would like to contribute to solving this problem, for example in the project “Water-conscious cities of the future” funded by the Bode Foundation.

Which freshwater in Berlin do you think is best for relaxation or experiencing nature, and why?

Personally, I find the area around Lake Tegel very beautiful. The extensive Tegel Forest is a magnificent wooded area with beautiful trees and is ideal for forest bathing in all seasons. Lake Tegel is very popular in summer, but if you know where to go, there are secluded bays where you can enjoy a pleasant day in the summer sun. I also find that the Wuhle is a great place to experience nature. You can find grey herons, beavers, various bird species and even otters there. In my opinion, the Wuhletal hiking trail and the restored River Erpe valley are always worth a visit if you want to escape the noise and greyness of the city and experience some urban nature.

If you were an aquatic animal in Berlin, which one would you be?

That's a difficult question, as I imagine it is challenging for any aquatic animal to live in a city like Berlin. However, if any aquatic animal can cope in a city like Berlin, I think it is the beaver. True to the motto 'if it doesn't fit, make it fit', they are masters of adapting to any aquatic environment, even in the city.