Shallow lakes are an important type of ecosystem that may be vulnerable to current warming trends. A recent study examines just how vulnerable they are. It indicates that climate change combined with nutrient pollution could exacerbate eutrophication and suggests nitrogen levels should be monitored.

In the coming years the EU Floods Directive1 will require Member States to produce flood hazard and risk maps. Taking the UK as a case study, new research highlights the need for advances in data collection, mapping and groundwater flood warning systems to meet EU requirements for maps and management plans.

A recent study suggests climate change has increased flooding in many regions in Germany, but that flood patterns vary across the country. When planning protective measures, regulators should be aware of the behaviour of flooding in specific areas of the country.

Underground water aquifers are a significant source of drinking water. In a recent study, French researchers found that pesticides applied to crops can take many years to sink down through the ground and reach groundwater. This means that they may still be entering aquifers, even after agricultural application has stopped.

Harmful bacteria in water are of concern, especially if they are resistant to antibiotics. A new Portuguese study reports on levels of a group of bacteria, staphylococci, in three different types of water in the treatment cycle and analyses their resistance to antibiotics.

Climate change policies need to be integrated into all levels of governance, from water management to energy, and across all sectors, from agriculture to traffic, according to a new report1. As climate change initiatives interact with existing polices, across-the-board support is needed if climate change issues are to be successfully tackled.

15 May 2009 The third LIFE+ call for proposals has been published on 15 May 2009, with up to €250 million available for co-financing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication.

Eutrophication is a serious problem in some European seas, but each sea responds differently to excessive nutrient input from human activities. For this reason, a recent study recommends that policies to address eutrophication of marine waters should be tailored to each regional sea.

Heavy rain and snow induced by climate change could cause significant damage in urban areas. A recent model study estimates the impact on a Swedish city and suggests there could be an increase in the number of surface floods by 25-45 per cent during this century.