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Today, researchers presented their findings on the 2022 Oder River environmental disaster at a symposium in Schwedt, handing over a report containing recommendations for action to Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. The researchers recommended reducing salt and nutrient pollution, revitalising floodplains, and retaining more water in the landscape to strengthen the river’s long-term resilience.

Dr Natalie Klinard has been leading the new IGB research group "Movement Ecology" since March 2026. Her previous position was as a postdoctoral researcher at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.  While there, she developed a framework for investigating the ecological role of sharks in coral reefs. At IGB, she will continue her research into the movements and behaviour of wild fish within Department 4. A deep appreciation for the natural world is a major source of motivation for her work, as she describes in this short interview.

Researchers explain the ecological developments in Lake Stechlin and the latest findings in a new IGB Dossier. In it, they also provide an assessment of which follow-up actions now appear appropriate.

Dr. Timo Rittweg , former doctoral student at IGB, was awarded the “Forschungsstiftung Ostsee” Research Prize for his doctoral thesis. In his dissertation, he studied the life of pike in the Bodden off Rügen as part of the BODDENHECHT project. 

IGB researchers emphasise the great importance of the WFD for sustainable water management.

While travelling long distances on business is not unusual for scientists, driving from Brandenburg to Morocco by car certainly is. Researchers from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) set up the first permanent aquatic mesocosm facility on the African continent to investigate nature-based solutions for the treatment and reuse of olive mill wastewaters through smart irrigation systems, thus, reducing the pollution and pressure on freshwater resources. The IGB research team transported the necessary equipment there by car.

In a statement released today, the Leibniz Association's Senate recommended continued funding for IGB. This attests to the Institute's very positive development. The Senate thus agrees with the assessment of an international expert panel who conducted a comprehensive review of the Institute’s achievements. Particular emphasis was placed on the structural adjustments and scientific development of the IGB over the past seven years.

The special issue “Wetlands in a Changing Climate: Restoring Coasts and Floodplains” explains in detail why Europe's wetlands urgently need more protection and restoration in the face of climate change. More than 100 authors from across Europe contributed to the publication, including Prof. Sonja Jähnig and Dr Martin Pusch from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). All articles are open access.