Riparian vegetation Biodiversity of small waterbodies

The 2024 status report shows that of the small water bodies examined between 2018-2021, most were in poor to very poor condition in terms of their provision with towering bank vegetation. The data also shows that a lack of riparian vegetation increases the contamination of water bodies with pesticides. A status update will be provided in 2028.

Due to a limited database, the pressure indicator “river vegetation” could only be applied to the small water type “Sölle of the North German Plain” in the agricultural landscape of Brandenburg without a temporal comparison or distinction between agricultural areas. Only one of the small water bodies examined was well equipped with surrounding, towering bank vegetation, while 35 water bodies were in poor to very poor condition. For a large number of small water bodies, an assessment of riparian vegetation was not possible due to insufficient LiDAR data availability. The highest concentrations of pesticide active ingredients were also found in the waters with the lowest proportions of riparian vegetation. This proves the increase in small water pollution with pesticides due to reduced bank vegetation.

The data basis is available geo (GIS) and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) data. The indicator values calculated using data from Sentinel-2 MSI and ATKIS-Basic DLM for the small water body backdrop (> 0.15 ha to < 1.0 ha) are reported at the national level. The national reporting level can be supplemented with agricultural area-specific statements. With the start of implementation of the monitoring, the first results will be available from 2023; the indicator can be reported completely annually provided the appropriate data is available.