Welcome to KIT/IMK-IFU

Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Campus Alpin, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Scientists at IMK-IFU investigate changes in the atmosphere, the water balance and the living conditions for vegetation and society in global climate change.

Investigating processes that influence the atmosphere is an essential basis for understanding climate change and developing strategies that help us to cope with the changing conditions.

The researchers on the KIT-Campus Alpin use measurements and modeling to investigate the bio-geochemical and physical processes responsible for the interaction of climate, vegetation, soils, and water availability, for example, in the emission or degradation of greenhouse gases in climate-sensitive regions such as mountain regions, arid regions, agricultural areas, and cities. For more than 65 years, research at the Institute has always focused on environmental topics of great complexity and high social relevance. Today, the Institute is concerned with the causes and effects of climate change; for example, the role of agriculture in Bavaria, the African Sahel or in Southeast Asia.

The IMK-IFU is active in projects and partnerships worldwide - because the global dimension of climate change and human influence on the environment requires that local environmental issues are also addressed in a global context.

News

IMTS- HauptversammlungImhof, KIT
Greenhouse gas monitoring in Germany

Further development of greenhouse gas monitoring in Germany: Scientists from a wide range of institutions meet at the second ITMS Annual General Meeting on the North Campus of KIT. Forwarding to itms-germany.de

more (german)
WasseroberflaecheHauser, KIT
Extreme weather events over small catchment areas

Interview with Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann on intense precipitation events over small catchment areas. The connection between the position of the precipitation cell, its influence on the runoff calculation and advanced  flood water forecasting. Interview from minute 06:23. Forwarding to ARD media library.

more (german)
ÜberflutungZachmann, KIT
Increase in Vb-weather conditions

Climate change, the increase of Vb-low pressure areas, longer-lasting weather conditions, increase of extreme weather events, higher humidity due to warmer temperatures and the current flood event. Interview with Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann from minute 23:26. Forwarding to ARD media library.

more (german)
Gruenes Getreidefeld DeutschlandGuy Pe'er
Biodiversity, land use and climate change

Prof. Dr. Almut Arneth investigates the influence of land use and climate change on terrestrial habitats and the associated biodiversity. Forewarding science.org

more (engl)
Verdienstorden des Landes Baden-WürttembergUli Regenscheit, Staatsministerium Baden-Württemberg
Prof. Dr. Arneth awarded the Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg

Prof. Dr. Almut Arneth has been awarded the Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg for her research work on linking climate science and biodiversity. Forwarding to baden-wuerttemberg.de

more (german)
LidarVogelmann, KIT
Lidar aerosol measurements to evaluate environmental pollution

Lidar aerosol measurements by Dr. Hannes Vogelmann as part of the trans-European measuring network "Actris" show influences from Saharan dust up to an altitude of 5 km. Forwarding to Merkur.de

more (german)
Grünland LandwirtschaftPiatka, KIT
Ammonia emissions from liquid manure spreading

Researchers at Campus Alpin are investigating whether spreading liquid manure close to the ground on grassland results in significantly lower ammonia emissions compared to conventional methods, even at cool air temperatures. Forwarding to the ARD media library.

more (german)
Prof. Dr. H. KunstmannKunstmann, KIT
German Hydrology Prize 2024

Prof. Dr. H. Kunstmann from the IMK-IFU Campus Alpin receives the German Hydrology Award 2024 for his research on the topic of water as a resource: water availability, climate phenomena and modeling of hydrological processes.

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Bäume, AfrikaHorvath, AWI
Landscape classification and reforestation

Relationship between the success of reforestation projects in Africa and the quality of small-scale landscape ecosystem classification. Forwarding to sciencemediacenter.de

more (german)