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.

Student Katja Mehrwald has investigated what species are on the diet of grey seals in the southern Baltic Sea. For her study, carried out at the University of Rostock and IGB, she has now been awarded the Master's Prize of the German Zoological Society. 

Clonal fish that are reared under nearly identical, highly standardised environments systematically differ in the number and size of offspring per reproduction cycle, two crucial indicators of biological fitness.

Who made the Berlin research region shine this year? The science editorial team of the Tagesspiegel has selected the 100 most important personalities and nominated IGB researcher Christian Wolter for his great commitment to the Oder River.

At its annual conference, the German Society for Limnology (DGL) awards three prizes to outstanding young researchers. Malwina Schafft from the research group of Robert Arlinghaus received the 3rd prize.

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

Microplastics are found in lakes and reservoirs around the world. Pollution reaches even the most secluded places where human influence is minimal. Moreover, concentrations of microplastics in freshwaters are sometimes higher than in subtropical gyres, the marine areas where large amounts of waste accumulate. These are the findings of an international study of 38 lakes and reservoirs led by the University of Milan-Bicocca in Italy, with the participation of IGB, and published in the journal Nature.