Selected publications

In a lab study it was tested if light pollution affects thyroid hormones in Eurasian perch. The results show first signs of endocrine disruption in thyroid metabolism after a relatively short exposure of two weeks under high-intensity streetlight conditions. Misbalanced thyroidal status can have serious implications for metabolic rates as well as developmental and reproductive processes.

Diversity and community composition of bacteria along vertical gradients were studied in Lake Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan, the 6th deepest lake worldwide and the largest high-altitude lake. In the molecular assessment, the 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed significant changes in the composition, responding mainly to depth and salinity with Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi dominating in the deepest layers.

In order to empower the field of biogeochemistry further in its capacity to inform and influence social transitions, the authors make a strong plea to further strengthen the integrative nature of biogeochemistry. They put special attention to the integration of mechanisms, including both the molecular and eco-evolutionary perspectives, and insights from the social sciences.

Hydropower is renewable, but mostly not environmentally friendly. The study shows for Romania how the expansion of hydropower runs counter to the goals of EU environmental policy. Hydropower conflicts with the requirements of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive and the European Water Framework Directive: around half of the hydropower plants in Romania are located in nature conservation areas.

The authors investigated the recovery of a small, temperate shallow lake from a strong flooding-induced browning and nutrient loading event. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and phosphorus remained elevated and affected primary production despite water levels dropping to pre-flood levels indicating consequences of extreme precipitation for lake water quality and aquatic food webs.

The authors integrated hydrometric and isotope data to understand how droughts affect ecohydrological partitioning, hydrological connectivity and streamflow generation at the catchment scale. Groundwater recharge was lower under forest than grassland and enhanced in restored wetlands. Complex patterns of connectivity affect in-stream solute transport and interactions between land- and riverscapes.

In the Lake Stechlin Lake Lab facility, the researchers tested whether dissolved molecules retain information about past and present alterations of lakes. They found that UV or microbial activities left measurable imprints on dissolved compounds, emphasising the relevance of the "ecosystem metabolome" to monitor the functioning and quality of lakes.

Alien birds can have severe impacts on native birds. The authors wanted to find out whether there are certain factors that make some native bird species more vulnerable to such impacts than others. They identified several factors that increase vulnerability, as well as specific orders of native birds that may require protection, and locations where impacts may be particularly damaging.