Oder Fish Mortality in 2022

Micropollutants amplify the effect of brackish water algae

Excessive salinity, high water temperatures, low water levels and excessive inputs of nutrients and wastewater – this mix triggered the environmental disaster in the Oder River in East Germany in the summer of 2022. A large part of the fish, mussels and snails were killed. A scientific team coordinated by the UFZ has reported in the journal Nature Water that high concentrations of organic micropollutants exacerbated the deadly effects of the algal toxin prymnesin. 

UFZ Forest Condition Monitor 

This is how it looks in the forest

It is known that Germany's forests are not doing well. However, until now there has been a lack of detailed data on how the condition of forests has changed over time. The UFZ developed a Forest Condition Monitor based on satellite data, which present the condition of forest areas with a spatial resolution of 20 meters. The maps show a significant increase in damaged forests between 2016 and 2022, particularly in the Harz Mountains, Sauerland and Saxon Switzerland. 

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Effects on brain development and function

PFAS, which are found in cosmetics, outdoor clothing and coated cookware, for example, are difficult to break down. They can lead to liver damage, obesity, hormonal disorders and cancer. UFZ researchers have now investigated how PFAS affect the brain. Their test method could be used for the risk assessment of other neurotoxic chemicals, they write in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. They used a combination of modern molecular biology methods and the zebrafish model. 

COP29 Background Paper

Will the quantum leap in climate financing succeed?

The 29th World Climate Conference will take place in Baku from November 11-22. The international community wants to renegotiate global climate financing there. UFZ climate economist Prof Dr Reimund Schwarze and science editor Ralf Röchert have published a political background paper on this topic on behalf of the German Climate Consortium. Climate financing should not only be determined by the donor countries' willingness to pay, but also by the needs of the recipient countries.

Insect Extinction

What are the benefits of insect hotels? 

Insect hotels look pretty and give the good feeling of doing something for biodiversity. But the question is: Is this really the case? UFZ biologist Dr Hanna Honchar explains the pros and cons of insect hotels and what needs to be considered when building them. Her conclusion: Although the hotels are only a small drop in the ocean in the fight against insect extinction, they are an additional nesting opportunity and raise awareness of nature. 

#unsereFlüsse

ARD join-in campaign: The results

Since May, ARD presenter Jessy Wellmer and actor Sebastian Bezzel have been promoting a participatory campaign calling on people across Germany to check the habitat quality of streams and document their observations in a questionnaire. The analysis of the more than 2,700 observations received by the end of September by UFZ/iDiv researchers led by Prof Aletta Bonn shows that around 76 per cent of the stream sections are not in a good state. 

Prof Dr Katrin Böhning-Gaese

At its 116th annual conference in Stuttgart in September, the German Zoological Society honoured Katrin Böhning-Gaese, Scientific Director of the UFZ, with the Karl Ritter von Frisch Medal. She not only successfully tackles the challenges of complex research questions in biodiversity and land use research, but also continuously communicates her expertise to politics and society, the statement said. 

Dr Rui Ying Rachel Oh

Biologist Rui Ying Rachel Oh, postdoctoral researcher in the UFZ/iDiv department Biodiversity and People, was awarded the GFÖ Prize 2024 by the Society for Ecology. The jury honoured her outstanding scientific work in ecological research, the quality of her communication activities and her commitment to supporting young scientists. The prize is endowed with €10,000 and is awarded every two years. 

Julia von Gönner

Julia von Gönner, biologist at UFZ and iDiv, has been awarded the BMBF prize "Knowledge of the Many - Research Prize for Citizen Science". This honours her excellent research work as part of the FLOW citizen science project. In FLOW, more than 900 volunteers investigated the ecological status of over 130 small watercourses according to scientific standards between 2021 and 2023. The prize is endowed with €20,000. 

Prof Dr Karsten Rinke

Biologist Karsten Rinke, Head of the UFZ Department Lake Research, has been appointed to the Climate Council of the City of Magdeburg. The 18-member, voluntary committee is tasked with helping the city council and administration to implement the climate protection measures described in the "100% Climate Protection Master Plan" and achieve Magdeburg's climate targets. Magdeburg aims to become CO₂-neutral by 2035.