News

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.

For millennia, humans have been shaping water bodies, and in turn, water bodies and the creatures that inhabit them have been shaping us. Aquatic animals and plants have become an integral part of our culture and art.Cultural influences also shape our approach to nature conservation and species protection, thereby either promoting or hindering these efforts. Scientists from IGB investigate the various perspectives.

The 41st Annual Meeting of the German Society for Limnology (DGL) and the 16th Water Research Horizon Conference (WRHC) organised by the Water Science Alliance are being hosted by IGB in collaboration with the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

When people think of toxic cyanobacteria, they usually picture green algal blooms. However, these organisms can also grow on aquatic plants, meaning they are found in places where they come particularly close to humans and animals.