News

The flood situation in parts of Germany is slowly easing. It can be expected that after some weeks the rivers will have returned to their beds. But how wide is a natural riverbed? Under what conditions does flooding become dangerous for us – and is it also dangerous for nature? How can we better prepare for such extreme events and which measures are beneficial for both people and nature? The current flood events make it clear that we need to rethink flood protection.

It's not completely still in the water or under the ice during the cold season, even though some organisms in this habitat rest or hibernate. Some fascinating facts about winter survival in lakes, ponds and puddles. Plus: how we can support the animals and plants in our garden pond to survive the cold.

POUNDER, a project by the two junior research group leaders, Lynn Govaert and Stephanie Spahr, has succeeded in the Senate Committee Competition of the Leibniz Association and will be funded in the Cooperative Excellence Programme from January 2024.

Yesterday, at the GEO Ministerial Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, IGB scientist Dr Igor Ogashawara was honored with the GEO Emerging Leader Award. We spoke to him about the award and his field of research.

How can the declining pike stocks in the Bodden be supported? IGB researchers have formulated clear recommendations for politics, authorities and the user groups.

This summer, the water shortage in Europe continues to preoccupy politicians and the public. Small standing water bodies such as natural or artificial ponds, kettle holes or park waters are particularly suffering from the lack of water. In order to raise awareness of this problem and to point out options for action for policymakers, authorities and the civil society, IGB has today published a new IGB Dossier on this important type of water body.

An international research team has analysed the state and development of biodiversity in European rivers. As the extensive study shows, development has stagnated after initial improvement; many river systems have not been able to regenerate completely.

The IGB has commented on the draft National Biodiversity Strategy 2030 from a research perspective and is also making the analysis public here.