• Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) have used long-term data from the Spree River to discover that aquatic plants can compensate for declining water levels in a drier climate. • In recent summers, the growth of aquatic plants in the lower part of the Spree has led to an increase in water levels compared to previous years, thus compensating for the declining discharge.
Article Summaries:
- Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) analyzed long‑term data from the Spree River and found that dense growth of aquatic plants can offset reduced water flow in a drier climate. In recent summers, the lower Spree saw a significant increase in plant biomass, which helped maintain river water levels despite a nearly 50 % drop in discharge. The study suggests that vegetation can act as a natural buffer against declining river flows, potentially informing water‑management strategies in similar low‑flow environments.
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