KlimBo - Climate change on Lake Constance
Background and Goals
After many years of protective measures, the quality of the Lake Constance - a hugely important habitat and natural environment - has been safeguarded, but the natural processes in the lake are already being influenced by the effects of climate change. In order to guarantee a continuation of existing use, it is important to be able to identify and understand the changes, assess their impact and come up with appropriate measures. This has been done by identifying the watercourse ecological processes and coming up with model-based systems after a comparison with other lakes to forecast future developments, which can then be used to derive water conservation measures at an early stage.
The project has introduced hydrodynamic models as instruments of international water conservation on Lake Constance. These methods have not yet been established. The improved technical opportunities mean that dynamic development is anticipated in the coming years. KlimBo is therefore pursuing a pilot strategy, which will provide impetus for future developments in water conservation. The project promotes networking of affected specialist institutions in the states bordering Lake Constance. The results and experience gained from the project will be transferable to other comparable lakes and will be used in a similar way after appropriate adaptation.
Objectives:
To highlight and develop possible response options for preventive water conservation. Comparison with other lakes to identify anticipated changes in processes, for example. The study also includes components dealing with the impact of climate change on heat flows and thermal stratification, seasonal stratification trends, deep water renewal and oxygen concentration trends on the lake bed, remobilisation of substances from sediment and the layers and distribution of river water in the lake. The impact of potential uses on the heat balance in Lake Constance, e.g. removal of cooling water or discharge, will also be studied.
Content time
toResearch area/region
Country
- Germany
- Austria
- Swiss
Natural spatial classification
- Alps
Spatial resolution
Bodensee
Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change
Step 1: Understand and describe climate change
Approach and results
consider regional climate projections
Parameter (climate signals)
- Higher average temperatures
Further Parameters
summer days, frosty days;
water ecology parameters such as heat balance, stratification phenomena, oxygen content etc. are also studied
Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact
Approach and results
According to regional climate projections, in the future the Lake Constance area will experience mean summer temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius (°C), which is 1.4°C higher than currently In winter, the mean temperature of 4.5°C will be a full two degrees higher than today. There will be more hot summer days with temperatures above 25 degrees. At the same time, the number of frosty days in winter will be reduced by half.
The changed climatic conditions have an impact on the entire Lake Constance ecosystem and its flora and fauna.
Step 3: Develop and compare measures
Measures and/or strategies
Not studied: The focus is on response options for preventive water conservation, although this can also promote and support climate adaptation (synergy effects). Knowledge of the impact of climate change on the varied processes in Lake Constance are essential for adaptation to a changed climate.
Participants
Funding / Financing
Funding from the EU and project partners
Project management
Institut für Seenforschung (ISF) der Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz, Baden-Württemberg (LUBW)
Cooperation/Partners
Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU);
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Austria;
Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU / FOEN), Swiss;
Contact
Institut für Seenforschung ISF der LUBW
Argenweg 50/1
D-88085 Langenargen
