Although freshwaters cover less than one per cent of the earth’s surface, they are some of the most species-rich habitats on our planet – so far at any rate. After all, rivers and lakes are experiencing a rapid decline in biological diversity. And yet it is still unclear what this loss means for our well-being in the long term. One important objective of our research is therefore to identify measures that enable us to protect the biodiversity of our freshwaters as effectively as possible. We investigate the causes, draw up forecasts relating to changes, and pool our expertise in biodiversity research and in knowledge-based environmental protection. Collaborating with international partners, we also collect global data on biodiversity in freshwaters, creating a unique foundation to ensure their protection.
Related News
Selected publications
Rapid growth and the evolution of complete metamorphosis in insects
Insects undergo complete metamorphosis, rebuilding their bodies, such as the transition from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. The authors wondered why this extreme lifestyle might have evolved. Combining growth data and mathematical modelling, they found that insects grow much faster if they can grow and build the adult body in two separate stages, rather than doing both continuously.
Differential survival and feeding rates of three commonly traded gastropods across salinities
This study investigates the establishment and impact risks posed by three readily available, traded snail species – Melanoides tuberculata, Tarebia granifera and Anentome helena – by assessing their survival and feeding responses across a spectrum of salinity levels.
The frequent five: Insights from interviews with urban wildlife professionals in Germany
The authors interviewed 36 urban wildlife professionals in 4 large cities in Germany. Red foxes, wild boars, raccoons, stone martens and Eurasian beavers were the five mammal species most frequently highlighted in interviews to cause human-wildlife conflicts. The interviewees emphasized the need to create refuges for beavers and better inform the public about foxes.
A modelling approach to assess climate change impacts on taxonomic and functional diversity of European stream macroinvertebrates: Implications for water quality monitoring
The authors used bioclimatic models to predict EU freshwater macroinvertebrate habitats. The future distribution of macroinvertebrates reveals significant regional variations. Functional diversity was projected to change less than taxonomic diversity. Changes in environmentally suitable areas will impact widely used biological indices.
Freshwater megafauna shape ecosystems and facilitate restoration
This is a review, synthesizing how megafauna shape ecological processes in freshwater ecosystems and discussing their potential for enhancing ecosystem restoration. Restoring freshwater megafauna can revive essential ecological processes like disturbances, trophic cascades, and species dispersal, boosting biodiversity and enhancing nature's contributions to people.
