OderZusammen (OderTogether)

OderZusammen (Oder Together): Analyses and solutions for the cross-border management of water quality, biodiversity, fisheries and other ecosystem services

The Oder forms the border between the state of Brandenburg and the Lubuskie Voivodeship in Poland, and is also a shared resource providing numerous ecosystem services. However, conservation and sustainable management of the Oder faces many challenges. This is demonstrated not only by the catastrophic floods and droughts of recent years, but also by the death of fish and molluscs caused by the algae Prymnesium parvum in 2022. The challenge of restoring the river system requires cross-border efforts, solutions and platforms for exchange. The project aims to gather information and to develop solutions for the cross-border management of water quality, fish biodiversity, fisheries and ecosystem services, in collaboration with scientists, managers and stakeholders from both Brandenburg and Poland.

The project is divided into five work packages. The first work package will develop a model to provide short-term forecasts of water quality and the risk of Prymnesium blooms for the entire Oder. The model will also contribute to a better understanding of how climatic conditions and management measures affect water quality and the likelihood of Prymnesium blooms occurring. Work packages two and three address cross-border fish ecology and fisheries issues. The aim of the fourth work package is to assess the importance of the ecosystem services of the Oder and its biodiversity for the inhabitants of Brandenburg and the Lubusz Voivodeship. The final work package will bring together the data and tools from all previous sub-projects. The aim is to compare the effects of alternative management measures on water quality, fish biodiversity, fisheries and other ecosystem services under different climate and environmental scenarios.
The IfB will lead the entire project and carry out up to five studies and analyses in each work package.

In this context the institute has a job opening. For the job description and application details please follow the link.

The OderZusammen project is funded by the EU cooperation programme INTERREG VI A Brandenburg-Poland 2021-2027 with almost €2.5 million.

The Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Consumer Protection (MLEUV) is providing co-financing for the IfB's own contribution of approximately €240,000.