Climate change endangers the Bavarian lakes
Created: 09/16/2022, 2:00 p.m
By: Franziska Seliger
The Bavarian Minister for the Environment, Thorsten Faithr, came to the Osterseen to present the brochure.
© Seliger
For around 20 years, research has been carried out at the limnological station of the Technical University of Munich in Iffeldorf on the lakes and their changes due to climate change.
These research results have now been published in a brochure.
The Bavarian Minister for the Environment, Thorsten Faithr, also came to the Osterseen to present them.
Iffeldorf – The Bavarian Minister was far too late for the presentation of the brochure entitled “Bavarian Lakes in Climate Change”.
While the invited guests were waiting for him in the playground of the Iffeldorf elementary school - always keeping an eye on one of the research objects of the 100-page booklet, namely the Osterseen - Thorsten Glauber took a boat trip across the Waschsee.
Brochure presents results from around 20 years of research
"It was fun," the minister confessed after his return to solid ground and, in view of its large number of lakes, described the Oberland as a "blessed country", whose inhabitants are already feeling the effects of climate change;
for example, this year's drought had allowed the Frechensee near Seeshaupt to dry out (we reported).
"Climate change has reached us," emphasized Gerhard Kramer, Vice President Research and Innovation at the Technical University of Munich.
This was also confirmed by the results of the long-term study that was carried out at the Iffeldorf Limnological Station on behalf of the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment.
The brochure that has now been published, which the Iffeldorf scientist Uta Raeder was responsible for writing,
summarizes the results of around 20 years of climate-related lake research and also dares to take a look at the future challenges for climate research;
for example the importance of the many small Bavarian lakes for future research.
Great importance of lake research
In his speech at the presentation of the brochure, Minister of the Environment, Glauber, first congratulated the researchers "for this good scientific work" and underlined the importance of the lake research carried out in Iffeldorf.
Thanks to this "staying power" research, early protective measures against climate-related changes could be taken.
"The Limnological Station of the Technical University of Munich is one of the pioneers of aquatic climate research," emphasized Faithr.
"We were happy to support their important work with 1.7 million euros."
As part of the long-term study, the scientists examined a total of almost 100 lakes and mountain lakes in Bavaria and the Tyrolean Alps.
The complex studies of the limnologists prove that rising water temperatures and more frequent flood events are already causing serious problems for the water bodies.
For example, the study shows how the increasing warming of the lakes is leading to changes in their ecosystem.
Heat in summer also causes more algae and bacteria growth.
And changing water levels have a negative effect on the reed zones - the nursery of numerous animal species.
There is a risk of further loss of biodiversity
The conclusion of the researchers: The biodiversity of the underwater vegetation in Bavarian lakes is already reduced as a result of climate change.
And further warming of the lakes threatens to lead to a further loss of biodiversity on and in the lake.
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The brochure "Bavarian Lakes in Climate Change" summarizes the results of around 20 years of research.
© Seliger
"We are mobilizing all our strengths so that Bavaria remains a vital water country," promised Glauber and assured the Iffeldorf scientists of his continued support.
Because research advises politics “excellently”.
Regarding his conviction that every individual must help in the fight against climate change by examining their individual living habits, Glauber appealed to the scientists: “Help us, explain, motivate.
And in a language that everyone understands.”
In his greeting, Iffeldorf Mayor Hans Lang underlined the friendly relationship that had developed between the community and the limnological station over the past few years and emphasized: "We are proud that we accommodate the limnologists here." The support of the community goes to them continue to be safe.
The brochure is available in the Bavarian State Government's publication shop at www.bayern.de.
