Selected publications

The authors aimed at describing community composition of methanogenic and methanotrophic microorganisms at large spatial scale and at linking their abundances to potential sediment methane production and oxidation rates. Diversity of methanogenic archaea was higher in warmer streams and diversity of methanotrophic communities was higher at southern sampling sites and in larger streams. 

How do estimates for runoff contributions in glaciated catchments differ when estimated with different methods? A meta-analysis of 143 studies shows that the definition of runoff contributions is crucial, leading to rain and snow contributions to runoff estimated with a tracer-based approach being on average 9-14% lower than when determined by hydrological modelling. 

The authors investigated the seasonal dynamics in prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiomes in three common fen types in Northern Germany. The eukaryotic microbiomes showed significant changes in their community structures across the seasons in contrast to largely unaffected prokaryotic microbiomes. The dynamics in eukaryotic microbiomes in the rewetted sites differed between fen types.

Developed in the context of the European Water Framework Directive, 24 fish-based ecological assessment systems for lakes across 21 countries were analyzed by a team of European fish experts. In total, 177 metrics are applied, addressing multiple anthropogenic pressures, predominantly lake eutrophication, hydromorphological alterations, fisheries and occurrence of non-natives.

The authors investigated the thermal properties of Tibetan lakes during the ice-covered season. They revealed that an extremely large amount of solar radiation penetrated the highly transparent ice cover. As a result, lakes fully mix under ice and get heated up to >6°C. The accumulated heat makes a crucial contribution to ice cover melt.

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.

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.

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.