BIodiversity and BioGEochemistry of Riverine landscapes
BIGER on Bluesky
Biger in the News
New Scientific Paper Published: Waves Under Control? A Meta-Analysis of Morphological Restoration as a Strategy to Mitigate Navigation-Induced Disturbances
A recent study authored by Anna-Lisa Dittrich, Thomas Hein, Olena Bilous, Andrea Funk, Paul Meulenbroek, Mario Brauns, Elisabeth Bondar-Kunze has been published in Freshwater Biology.
The paper investigates the ecological impacts of ship-induced waves on freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and estuaries. It shows that these waves accelerate shoreline erosion and reduce biodiversity across multiple trophic levels, affecting primary producers, benthic invertebrates, and fish. The study highlights the need for ecosystem-specific management strategies, including morphological protection measures like breakwaters and increased shoreline complexity, to mitigate these impacts.
To read the full article online, please click here: https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.70181
# MERI
Effects of lateral hydrological connectivity on the relative abundance of water frogs (Pelophylaxspp.) and common toads (Bufo bufo) using eDNA surveys
A new paper co-authored by Boglárka Mészáros, Andrea Funk, Thomas Hein, Lukas Landler, Paul Meulenbroek, Didier Pont, Alice Valentini, Dénes Schmera, István Czeglédi & Tibor Erős, has been published in Hydrobiologia.
The study investigates how lateral hydrological connectivity (LHC), the degree to which floodplain waterbodies remain connected to the main river channel, affects the relative abundance of two amphibian groups (water frogs Pelophylax spp. and common toads Bufo bufo) in Danube River floodplains, using environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys across a connectivity gradient. The authors used structural equation modeling to show that LHC doesn’t directly influence species abundance but works indirectly through habitat structure, vegetation, and water conditions, with different effects on each species. The findings emphasise the importance of species‑specific responses to hydrological dynamics and the role of lateral connectivity in shaping amphibian populations in regulated river‑floodplain systems.
These results represent an important achievement built on the combined efforts of the RIMECO and MERI research projects.
The article is available online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-026-06110-5
Anthropogenic and natural factors impacting microbiological and physicochemical surface water quality along an urban tropical wetland – a new paper was published
A new paper co-authored by Flavia Byekwaso, Guenter Langergraber, Gabriele Weigelhofer, Rose Kaggwa, Frank Kansiime and Thomas Hein, has been published in Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. The paper examines how anthropogenic pressures and natural processes influence microbiological and physicochemical surface water quality in an urban tropical wetland.
Using spatial and seasonal water quality data, it shows that urban stormwater runoff and insufficient wastewater treatment exceed the wetland’s natural capacity to reduce pollution. The findings highlight the need for improved source-oriented pollution control to protect downstream water quality and public health.
The article is available online: https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2026.125
Joint Workshop with Project Partners Advances Final Phase of the MERI Project
In a joint workshop with VERBUND, viadonau and Österreichische Bundesforste, MERI researchers, predominantly members of the BIGER team, reviewed key analyses and discussed how they address questions raised by the project partners, highlighting the contribution of science to practical river management.
The workshop also focused on defining the building blocks of the final work package, which centres on the analysis of future management scenarios to support the sustainable management of the Danube meta-ecosystem. The constructive exchange marked an important step toward developing actionable, science-based solutions and strengthening collaboration as the project enters its final phase.
New Scientific Paper Published: Moving towards Europe-wide freshwater restoration through model-based integration of policy objectives
A recent study authored by Andrea Funk, Gonçalo Duarte, Paulo Branco, Thomas Hein, Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber, Tamara Leite, Angeliki Peponi, Maria Teresa Ferreira, Sebastian Birk, Annette Baattrup-Pedersen and Florian Borgwardt has been published in Water Research.
The paper presents a continental-scale modeling framework that integrates European freshwater policy objectives with ecological data to assess ecosystem status across multiple regions. It applies a Bayesian network approach to identify priority areas for conservation and restoration while explicitly accounting for uncertainty. The results provide a decision-support basis for coordinated, policy-aligned freshwater restoration efforts across Europe.
To read the full article online, please click here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2026.125426
New Scientific Paper Published: River-Floodplain Metacommunities as Complex Networks: The Interplay of Species Interactions, Dispersal, and Environment
A recent study authored by Andrea Funk, István Czeglédi, Tibor Erős, Lukas Landler,Paul Meulenbroek, Didier Pont, Brizuela Sonia Recinos, Alice Valentini, and Thomas Hein, has been published in Environmental DNA.
A paper presents advances in the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for monitoring aquatic biodiversity. The study demonstrates how genetic material collected from water samples can be used to reliably detect aquatic species, including those that are rare or difficult to observe. These findings highlight the value of eDNA as a non-invasive tool for biodiversity assessment, conservation, and environmental management.
To read the full article online, please click here: https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70239
Promoting Resilient Water Services: Flawia Byekwaso’s Talk at the 2025 Uganda Water Conference
Our group member, Flawia Byekwaso, attended the ‘Uganda Annual Water Utilities – Regulator’s Conference 2025’ (8th–10th December 2025) at the Ministry of Water and Environment Auditorium in Kampala. The conference focused on Accelerating Inclusive and Resilient Water and Sanitation Services for Sustainable Development.
Her talk, ‘Monitoring Natural Wetland Services for Urban Water Infrastructure Performance with Emphasis on Regulation of Water and Sanitation Services’, under the mentorship of Thomas Hein, made a significant contribution to addressing water ecological issues. The robust discussions sparked by her presentation are expected to foster a professional and supportive environment for the country and may promote future collaborations in the sector.
New Study Applies Hydrodynamic Modeling to Assess Flood Impacts on River Microbial Communities
A recent article in Applied and Environmental Microbiology: ‘Changes and drivers of bacterioplankton communities within plain river networks during the rainy season (high inflow event): simulation of the water level using the MIKE11 model’, presents new insights into how extreme rainfall shapes ecological processes in plain-river systems. The study, authored by Jun Zhao, Thomas Hein and Lachun Wang, applies the MIKE11 hydrodynamic model to simulate water-level and flow dynamics during high-inflow events. The study shows that high inflows cause clear shifts in bacterioplankton communities, including reduced richness and changes in community structure.
The findings underline how hydrology, chemistry and land use interact to affect microbial biodiversity, supporting BIGER’s focus on multiple stressors and ecological processes in freshwater landscapes.
To read the full article, please click here: https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01124-25
BIGER Annual Working-Group Retreat 2025 at Kalkalpen National Park
Last weekend, the BIGER working group gathered at Kalkalpen National Park for its annual retreat, a productive combination of scientific exchange and time in nature.
The retreat brought together our group members to share updates on ongoing projects, discuss new ideas, and explore future collaboration opportunities. Between sessions, we also enjoyed the park’s beautiful winter scenery, providing a refreshing backdrop for informal discussions.
Feeling inspired and energised, our group is ready to take on the research challenges of the year ahead.
