Research Focus Climate Change and Water Extremes

The effects of climate change, especially the associated water extremes, have been a central research focus of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences for years, which is also supported as part of TU Dresden's Excellence Strategy. The research focus is supported and shaped by a multidisciplinary team consisting of scientists from the three departments of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research UFZ. We are researching the adaptation of our natural and urban water systems to climate extremes such as periods of heat and drought, heavy rainfall and flooding, but also to progressive land use change and the increased input of pollutants. We want to help increase the resilience of our water systems and reduce the negative effects of extremes on water quality and quantity as far as possible. To ensure the implementation of our research results, we maintain a wide range of contacts, primarily with regional, but also with national authorities and (medium-sized) companies, as well as with international players and organizations.

Current research topics include:

• Influence of climate-induced changes and extremes on aquatic ecosystems and on pollutant dynamics and impacts; measures for increasing resilience and ensuring water quality through adapted management
• Impact of climate-induced changes and extremes on urban catchments and their interaction with natural hydrological catchments, options for climate adaptation, "zero pollution" goal
• Management options for the transformation of forestry towards drought-resilient, climate-adapted forests and their role in the water balance

Our mission is to better understand the complex processes that lead to water extremes and, on this basis, to propose the most efficient measures to reduce the negative impacts of water extremes on humans and the environment as far as possible.