Flood

Precisely predict the effects of flooding

Climate change increases frequency of extreme events such as flooding. In order to better protect the population, methods are therefore needed to predict floods more precisely and faster. Helmholtz researchers have now succeeded in developing such a forecasting system by linking various prediction models. It not only provides timely water levels, but also dynamic, high-resolution flood inundation maps. The results were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.  

Precipitation in Germany 

Rainiest year on record – but with great regional variation

Never before since measurements began in 1881 has Germany had such a rainy twelve months as from July 2023 to June 2024 (DWD 2024). UFZ researchers have taken a closer look. They show a regionally very differentiated picture with decreasing precipitation from west to east in the annual average and strong regional deviations in the monthly averages. You can find more information on the hydrological situation, such as the June floods in southern Germany, on the "In Focus" website. 

Nature Restoration Law

"A great success"

The controversial European Nature Restoration Law (NRL) has surprisingly been adopted by the EU Environment Council in June. This is a great success for nature conservation and sustainable landuse, says Prof Josef Settele, agricultural biologist at the UFZ and member of the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU). In this interview, he explains how the regulation will improve the conservation of species and ecosystems and why restoration generally is so important.

ARD join-in campaign #unsere Flüsse

Check our streams!

School classes, groups and individuals assess the current state of German streams. ARD presenter Jessy Wellmer first called for this on 12 May. Since then, around 2,000 streams have been examined. German actor Sebastian Bezzel is now also calling on people to take part and is extending the campaign until the end of October. After that, the observations will be analysed at the UFZ and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv). Until then, the motto is: "Get out to the stream and join in!" 

Geothermal energy

Testing: Thermal storage with combined groundwater treatment 

A pilot plant has gone into operation at the UFZ research campus in Leipzig in mid-June as part of the KONATES research project. It utilises the thermal energy in the aquifer and removes pollutants at the same time. In view of the fact that the frequent pollution of near-surface aquifers in cities and industrial areas limits their use as heat reservoirs, the plant could become a blueprint for low-CO₂, energy-efficient management of many aquifers. 

Healthcare Research

UFZ becomes part of the German Centre for Child and Adolescent Health 

The nationwide network began the start-up phase on 1 June. It aims to pool the expertise of clinics, universities and research institutions in paediatrics and adolescent medicine in Berlin, Göttingen, Greifswald/Rostock, Hamburg, Leipzig/Dresden, Munich and Ulm. The UFZ is involved via the regional SaxoChiLD network and focusses on the influence of environmental and climatic factors on child development and health from pregnancy onwards.