Selected publications

A better understanding of water storage dynamics at medium scales, i.e. areas between 10 and 100 square kilometres, could help to better predict and ensure the availability of water resources, even in times of climate change. To this end, the researchers here synthesised findings from several long-term studies and introduced the concept of ecohydrological resilience. 

By using a meta analytical technique, the authors investigated the effect of multiple-stressors on leaf litter decomposition in freshwaters. The overall interaction between multiple stressors was antagonistic and the magnitude and direction of multiple-stressor interactions depends on factors such as the involvement of macroinvertebrates, habitat type and available resources.

The paper presents a modeling approach to estimate time-varying travel times from the stream water to the streambed. The modeling is based on fluctuations in electrical conductivity in the surface water and in the porewater. Given the high temporal dynamics of transport in streambed sediments, the model will be a valuable tool for the assessment of reactive transport in streambed sediments.

Catchment-scale nitrate dynamics involve complex coupling of hydrological transport and biogeochemical transformations, imposing challenges for source control of diffuse pollution. Coupled modeling of isotope tracers and nitrate dynamics revealed that upland arable areas impose pollution risks under drought while the river-connected lowlands are processing hotspots and more resilient to drought. 

A study of oxygen and temperature trends in 46 German lakes showed that temperatures have risen mainly at the surface, but not in the deep water. This led to increased stratification and lower oxygen concentrations. Scenarios showed that these effects of climate change on oxygen content could be compensated by reducing nutrients.

The study investigated the ability of the Continuum hydrological model in simulating the water cycle in the Po river basin (Italy) during droughts of increasing severity. The simulation of streamflow during the severe 2022 drought was characterized by comparatively lower performances than during moderate events, most likely due to challenges in representing high human influences via irrigation.

Increasing droughts require a better understanding of connectivity and groundwater-surface water interactions. The authors used a multi-proxy approach of isotope tracers, groundwater data and geophysics to develop a conceptual model of landscape connectivity and groundwater recharge and assessed the effects of land use and catchment properties of groundwater systems sensitive to climate change.

Since the simulation of evaporation and vegetation response to moisture deficits is subject to uncertainties, the authors assessed the benefits of integrating satellite-based land surface temperature data into ecohydrological modelling. They show that even few satellite images can reduce uncertainties of vegetation parameters and improve simulated spatial patterns of land surface temperature.