A New tool for the assessment of severe anthropogenic eutrophication in wetlands under increasing human pressure

It is about time the assessment of trophic state in wetlands is no longer estimated through the regressions and thresholds modelled for deep-stratified lakes where sediment nutrient recycling was purposely neglected. We are in badly need of a system trophic indicator to be used as a reference for biological indicators. The recent use of biological communities (macro-invertebrates, diatoms, etc) for the evaluation of the “ecological state” of a water body implicitly requires the assessment of its “trophic state”

Extending one-dimensional models for deep lakes to simulate the impact of submerged macrophytes on water quality

Submerged macrophytes can stabilise clear water conditions in shallow lakes. However, many existing models for deep lakes neglect their impact. Here, we tested the hypothesis that submerged macrophytes can affect the water clarity in deep lakes. A one-dimensional, vertically resolved macrophyte model was developed based on PCLake and coupled to SALMO-1D and GOTM hydrophysics and validated against field data. Validation showed good coherence in dynamic growth patterns and colonisation depths. In our simulations the presence of submerged macrophytes resulted in up to 50% less phytoplankton biomass in the shallowest simulated lake (11 m) and still 15% less phytoplankton was predicted in 100 m deep oligotrophic lakes. Nutrient loading, lake depth, and lake shape had a strong influence on macrophyte effects. Nutrient competition was found to be the strongest biological interaction. Despite a number of limitations, the derived dynamic lake model suggests significant effects of submerged macrophytes on deep lake water quality

Living Waters

On the occasion of the 15th BMBF Forum for Sustainability (13-14 May 2019) on "Maintaining Biodiversity – Researching for our Future" and the "Research Initiative for the Conservation of Biodiversity", the authors of this Research Agenda underwent an intensive exchange process to identify and coordinate the most important research needs in and on inland waters. The exchange with the "Coastal Research Strategy Group" of the "German Marine Research Consortium" reflects the (original) connectedness of inland and coastal waters. This Research Agenda, presented by the authors, marks the start of a consultation process on the need to conduct research on freshwaters, and at the same time supports the development of the agenda of the BMBF Framework Programme "Research for Sustainable Development (FONA)"

Flagship umbrella species needed for the conservation of overlooked aquatic biodiversity

Despite a long-standing debate about the utility of species-centered conservation approaches (Roberge & Angelstam 2004), surrogate species remain popular by providing useful-or even necessary-"shortcuts" for successful conservation programs (Caro 2010). Flagship species, as one prime example of surrogates, are primarily intended to promote public awareness and to raise funds for conservation (Ver\uedssimo et\ua0al. 2011). In contrast, the protection of umbrella species is expected to benefit a wide range of co-occurring species (Roberge & Angelstam 2004; Caro 2010). Accordingly, the main criteria for selecting flagships should be based on socio-cultural considerations, whereas umbrellas are principally chosen based on ecological criteria (Caro 2010; Ver\uedssimo et\ua0al. 2011; see Table 1). Since these two concepts are often confused or mistakenly used interchangeably, Caro (2010, p. 248) coined the term "flagship umbrellas" for those species that explicitly integrate both functions. Indeed, Li and Pimm (2016) recently demonstrated that the classic flagship species, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), can simultaneously act as an umbrella species, as its protection benefits many co-occurring endemic mammals, birds and amphibians. This challenges the often held views that: (i) the umbrella concept has to be abandoned as it is not efficiently working at local scales (Caro 2015); (ii) most flagship species are weak predictors for efficient reserve planning (Caro 2010); and (iii) ecosystem- or landscape-based conservation approaches should consequentially be favored over species-based approaches whenever feasible (Roberge & Angelstam 2004; Caro 2010). Further commotion in the discussion is the increasingly demanded paradigm shift in conservation strategies to specifically target hidden or neglected biodiversity for its intrinsic value and its contribution to ecosystem processes (Dougherty et\ua0al. 2016)

Lebendiges Wasser

Anlässlich des 15. BMBF-Forums für Nachhaltigkeit (13.-14. Mai 2019) zum Thema "Artenvielfalt erhalten – Forschen für unsere Zukunft" und der im Mittelpunkt stehenden "Forschungsinitiative zum Erhalt der Artenvielfalt" haben die Autor*innen der hier vorliegenden Forschungsagenda in einem intensiven Austauschprozess die wichtigsten Forschungsbedarfe in und an Binnengewässern 16 identifiziert und abgestimmt. Der Austausch mit der Strategiegruppe Küste des Konsortiums Deutsche Meeresforschung trägt der (ursprünglichen) Verbundenheit dieser Lebensräume Rechnung. Mit der vorgestellten Forschungsagenda stehen die Autor*innen damit am Anfang eines Konsultationsprozesses zu den Forschungsbedarfen in Binnengewässern und unterstützen die Entwicklung der Agenda des BMBF Rahmenprogramms "Forschung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (FONA)"