Holly Lyon Blevins, Fee Nanett Trau, and Lena Ruf from the Julius Kühn Institute enjoyed the exceptionally warm hospitality in Bolu, northern Turkey. Through talks, workshops, and discussions, they gained exciting insights into freshwater research across Europe. The early-career scientists were able to engage in intensive debates on the use of suitable indices in water body assessment and the appropriate processing of biodiversity data. Lena Ruf summarizes: "This international exchange was very valuable for me, allowing me to learn about other methods and approaches to developing indicators and gain outside perspectives on my work." The focus was on rivers and lakes and, of course, the implementation of the European Union's Water Framework Directive. The presentations largely focused on ecological perspectives, but also referenced economic and social science aspects.
In the session on small water bodies, the representatives of the Water Protection Working Group at the Julius Kühn Institute held three presentations. Lena Ruf adressed the German monitoring of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and the INPOND indicator developed within the framework of MonViA. INdirect Pesticide Impacts ON Diversity of small waterbodiesassesses the indirect impacts of chemical pesticides on biodiversity in small water bodies. The presentation generated considerable interest among the experts from various EU countries, as evidenced by numerous questions, among other things the political framework of MonViA.
The high-profile event was rounded off with exciting excursions into the beautiful natural surroundings of Turkey. A highlight was a visit to the Seven Lakes Plateau in Yedigöller National Park in Central Anatolia
Further informationen about the conference and about Biodiversity of small waterbodies