Piet Schimke

Biocontrol of eutrophication: Modeling food webs in small streams and their capacity to dam impacts from agriculture

Project affiliation:   A2

Agriculturally induced eutrophication in streams represent a pressing environmental challenge. The ability of foodwebs in small streams to biocontrol excess nutrient levels is often overseen. However, these biological networks are exposed to multiple stressors from climate and agriculture, potentially leading to complex and unpredictable combined impacts. The primary objective of the A2 sub-project within the ECORISK Research Training Group is to model and understand the response of instream foodwebs to these stressors, as well as their capacity to biocontrol eutrophication. This is achieved by integrating land-use geodata with the hydro-ecological simulation model MASTIFF. Furthermore, the project examines altered agricultural practices within the catchment area to identify strategies that effectively mitigate eutrophication.
In February 2025, Piet Schimke joined the A2 sub-project as a doctoral candidate, bringing a strong background in complex system analysis and ecological modeling. He gained this expertise during his Master's program in 'Environmental System Sciences and Resource Management' at the University of Osnabrück. In 2024, Piet completed a three-month internship and conducted his thesis research at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in the Department of Ecological Modeling. There, he investigated the response of tropical rainforests in French Guiana to drought-induced stressor regimes. Using the GAP-model FORMIND, he studied changes in forest structure, biodiversity, and carbon storage. In his Bachelor's degree in 'Environmental Engineering' at the City University of Applied Sciences in Bremen, Piet gained a robust foundation in environmental sciences and experience in laboratory work. Although his thesis focused on developing a cultivation system for duckweed, a significant aspect involved examining the nutrient uptake and growth behavior of aquatic organisms.