News

Experts from all over the world have developed the basis for a global network for improving research, protection and public outreach in the field of freshwater biodiversity.

A huge international research collaboration catalogued the planet’s microbial diversity at unprecedented scale and compiled the world's first reference database of bacteria colonising our planet.

83 per cent of all the world’s threatened freshwater species occur in the same areas as the “imposing” freshwater species examined within the study – all of which are potential ambassadors for their ecosystem.

Online survey open until 30 November 2017: People around the globe who work or have an interest in the research and protection of freshwater biodiversity are invited to contribute their experience and know-how.

It is known that some sulphur bacteria such as Achromatium oxaliferum can be extremely large and may contain several genome copies. But the fact that a single bacterial cell harbours hundreds of different(!) genomes is new – brand new.

A team of IGB scientists has identified microplastics as habitat for numerous microorganisms, including more than 80 different fungi species.

A new socioeconomic classification system classifies invasive species according to their direct impact on people's lives and shows which species should be controlled as priority.

Global climate change affects all ecosystems, including lakes – and is therefore the focus of long-term research conducted by Rita Adrian. In an interview, she explains how climatic changes have already had an impact on lakes and what we can expect in the future.