The International Society of Limnology celebrates its anniversary with a conference on pressing issues
Aerial view of Lake Stechlin. | Photo: Michael Feierabend
The International Society of Limnology (SIL) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an international conference in Berlin. This is being hosted by IGB. There is no question that research on the protection of freshwaters and groundwater is more important today than ever before. About 800 researchers from 60 countries will come together for scientific exchange on this topic.
Limnology is the science of inland waters - whether lakes, rivers, wetlands or groundwater - aquatic life, their environment and the interactions between ecosystems and human society.
"100 years ago, water bodies were already intensively used by humans, but there was neither water scarcity nor a climate or biodiversity crisis. So limnology has evolved from a niche discipline to a core task for a sustainable future," said Thomas Mehner, Vice Director at IGB and President of the SIL.
As one of the oldest international scientific societies, the SIL was founded in Kiel in 1922 by August Thienemann and Einar Naumann and today represents more than 1,000 limnologists of various sub-disciplines from almost 70 countries.
IGB in Berlin has taken over the scientific organisation of the congress on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the SIL. From 7 to 10 August 2022, around 800 limnologists from about 60 countries will gather in Berlin to present the latest scientific developments and exchange views on methods and practical applications. "This personal exchange and international networking are important. After all, global challenges such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity and the availability of water can only be tackled through transnational activities," said Thomas Mehner.
