News

The website Hi Knowledge presents a new approach for combining heterogeneous data and information on biological invasions. It also provides innovative tools for finding knowledge quickly and easily.

A new study led by the University of British Columbia (UBC), with contributions from IGB, has revealed alarming results: climate change could lead to an increase in bacterial and fungal infections in cold-blooded animals such as corals, insects and fish. 

Even deep clear water lakes, which are considered particularly valuable ecosystems, can show signs of eutrophication and algae growth - often for no apparent reason. A new study by four researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) now shows that the causes are not always to be found in increasing nutrient inputs from the catchment area or in re-dissolution processes in the deep areas of a lake, but also in the shallower areas up to a water depth of around 20 metres.

As part of Berlin Science Week 2024, IGB researchers, artists and the public immersed themselves in the diverse habitats of the Oder and Spree rivers. Four formats offered insights into the fragile balance of ecosystems, the sensitive relationships between species, human responsibility and the unifying power of art and science. On 14 December and 11 and 12 January, you can see, hear and experience extracts from these formats once again.

The Stifterverband has honoured two outstanding Leibniz researchers from Berlin with the ‘Research in Responsibility’ science award. IGB researcher Robert Arlinghaus shares the 40,000-euro prize with Lena Hipp from the WZB Berlin Social Science Center.

Cigarette butts do not belong in the environment. Yet they often end up there, especially near water bodies. A survey by IGB has shown that many of Berlin's waters contain considerable amounts of nicotine, which is also toxic to aquatic life. A new IGB study now shows that some organisms may benefit indirectly: toxic cyanobacteria. This is because cigarette butts in the water harm their parasites. The study was published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

Gabriela Costea is part of an international team developing concepts for better management of the Danube. In an interview, she explains why communication is so important when it comes to implementing research findings – and why a children’s book can help.

Why do animals actually hunt in groups, when they have to share the prey afterwards? Researchers have shown in a field study in the ocean off Mexico: the faster the prey school moves, the higher the capture rate of the striped marlin. This is because if the prey school is moving fast, individual prey fish are more likely to become isolated from the swarm. These isolated fish are then easily caught by the non-attacking marlins. This shows an advantage of group hunting for the predatory fish.