Biodiversity in fresh water

GEO-Magazine and the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) announce the 13th GEO Day of Biodiversity.

On the 4th of June 2011 around 100 zoologists and botanists will analyse the biodiversity in the Löcknitz Valley and at the Müggelsee close to Berlin.

Throughout the Federal Republic hundreds of events related to the topic of biodiversity have been planned by lay people and experts.

„Fresh water habitat: Why there is still so much to learn about rivers, lakes and ponds" - that is the title of this year's GEO Day of Biodiversity. Only 1 percent of the earth's surface is made up of fresh water, but in it live 10 percent of all animal species worldwide and 35 percent of all vertebrate. The decline of biodiversity is most progressive in this habitat. For this reason 100 experts will carry out an exemplary analysis of the biodiversity in the Löcknitz Valley and the Müggelsee close to Berlin on the 4th of June 2011. Within 24 hours the wealth of animal and plant species shall be detected and recorded. This year's GEO Day of Biodiversity is taking place once again under the aegis of Federal Minster for the Environment Dr. Norbert Röttgen.

The GEO Day of Biodiversity is Europe's biggest field research event. Last year more than 35,000 people took part in more than 570 projects throughout Germany and in many other countries. A lot of the time these events unveil species that were thought to have been lost and they therefore contribute to the documentation and preservation of the fauna and flora. The goal of this year's GEO Day of Biodiversity is to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity in our immediate environment.

The main partner for this year's GEO Day of Biodiversity is the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). It is Germany’s biggest centre for ecosystem related research of inland waters. The work of the IGB combines basic and prevention research as a basis of sustainable use of waters. The focus is on the training of young scientists and on the consultation for politics, economy and the public on questions about water management.

Jens Schröder, deputy editor-in-chief of GEO: "We have been actively involved in the GEO Day of Biodiversity for years to give people the chance to learn about and to value their immediate environment so that they understand the connections and become enthusiastic about the events in nature."

Prof. Dr. Klement Tockner, Director of the IGB: "Inland waters are unique habitats with a biodiversity that is highly threatened. Of all vertebrates that died out recently in Europe nearly 90 percent were inhabitants of inland waters. By taking part in the GEO Day we would like to raise awareness for this fascinating habitat, but also point out the challenges for research and for water management, that are increasing rapidly due to the mounting pressure on the use of the resource water.

Appeal to take part

Anyone who is interested in the biodiversity of nature and its protection is invited to take part in the surrounding events. Anyone interested in organising their own GEO Day in their region can register with the editorial staff on the internet under www.geo.de/artenvielfalt. The basic idea is to discovery and identify as many different plants and animals as possible in a clearly defined area within 24 hours. All results will be recorded in a central database.

More detailed information on the GEO Day of Biodiversity can be obtained from Tom Müller, GEO editorial office: Phone: 040/3703-2732, E-Mail: mueller.tom@geo.de.

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