News

In an article in Nature Microbiology, the authors – including researchers from IGB – discuss improvements for the exchange of microbiome data between institutions.

IGB's full commitment to one of the most important German professional societies for water research: Two scientists from  IGB were elected as members  of the executive committee of the German Limnological Society (DGL), and Michael Hupfer will take over as president of the society in 2026. IGB will also host the next DGL annual conference in September 2026.

An international research team recommends a genetic approach for the obligatory measurements under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The article has been published in the journal Nature Water.

A comprehensive long-term study in artificially heated lakes in Poland has shown that increased water temperatures and nutrient enrichment significantly influence the composition and diversity of plankton organisms in lakes. These changes could have far-reaching implications for biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This study, led by the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), highlights the importance of considering temperature-nutrient interactions when predicting ecosystem responses to climate change. 

A river flows steadily, and a lake usually has a consistent water level. However, many of our rivers have been canalised, straightened and regulated for shipping. It's therefore no surprise that we take stable water levels for granted, even in lakes. However, fluctuating water levels are a natural occurrence: streams and rivers sometimes dry up or flood the surrounding land. This creates floodplains along their banks, which are valuable habitats that are constantly changing.

A research team with IGB has made significant progress in understanding the bacterial genus Fontibacterium, which is widespread in both freshwater and marine environments. In a recent publication in the journal Nature Microbiology, the scientists greatly expanded the phylogenetic tree of Fontibacterium, described two previously unknown species and analysed their ecology.

Some organisms can slow their development to withstand wind and weather. This strategy is found in plants, animals, and even microorganisms, both on land and in water.

Tires abrade fine particles when driving. These contain a complex mixture of different compounds, including toxic substances. If the tire wear particles end up in freshwater ecosystems, the pollutants are leached out there. A new review article in the Journal of Environmental Management summarises the current state of knowledge on the occurrence of tire wear particles and the release of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. The researchers warn of the toxic effects on aquatic organisms and associated ecological consequences.