News

The study in Nature Ecology & Evolution shows that shipping shipping has contributed to a significant loss of biodiversity of fish, mussels, snails and small crustaceans in European rivers in recent decades – and that the remaining animal communities are becoming increasingly homogeneous and river-typical species are being lost. Invasive species, on the other hand, are significantly increasing. 

Tailored and shielded street lamps make the light source almost invisible outside the illuminated area and significantly reduces the lethal attraction for flying insects in different environments. The researchers see this as an important technical solution to reduce insect mortality. The study was published in Communications Biology.

Study in Nature Communications reveals a gene locus responsible for sex determination in the European green toad. This is only the second known genetic mechanism for sex differentiation in amphibians. 

Prolonged rainfall and storm events have caused rivers to burst their banks in parts of Germany. How can we better prepare for such extreme events, and what measures benefit both people and nature? We take a look at the state of the country’s rivers and floodplains and why it is worth rethinking flood protection.

Study in Science shows: High nutrient levels and rising temperatures increase the decomposition rates of organic matter in freshwaters. This can lead to increased CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Freely accessible maps show the differences for more than 500 stream ecosystems worldwide.

A study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment and co-authored by IGB illustrates the extent of light pollution and highlights technological gaps in nighttime Earth observation that may lead to underestimation of light pollution. A night-time Earth observation mission would also be useful in other contexts, such as monitoring crises, wars and natural disasters.

Researchers from the Global Lake Ecosystem Observatory Network have now reviewed the factors that cause algal blooms to subside, the challenges in combating them, and how to deal with current and ongoing effects of climate change.

In a recent EU consultation, the IGB provided feedback on the use of so-called Renure fertilisers and recommended that the current nitrate limits should be strictly followed and that renure fertilisers should not benefit from any exemptions.