The case
Widespread algae bloom in the hot and dry summer of 2018 in Berlin. The Spree and Dame river network turned greenish in the hot months representing more photosynthesis occurring in the water, mainly by algae. Under those algae poisonous cyanobacteria can be found. In the driest period the lack of water caused an inverse movement of the water, the water flowed backwards to its spring. Please, move the slider in the image below to the right and left to find more about it yourself.
The wider picture
Urban blue infrastructure is a key component for the functioning of urban ecological systems, offers possibility for transportation and last but not leas produces numerous ecosystem services to its residents. This includes cooling cities but also very much to go for a swim.
Our scientific contribution
Under peer review
About the Author
Thilo Wellmann holds a M.Sc degree in Global Change Geography and does a doctorate in Landscape Ecology at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.