Ecological Rhine Station Cologne
The Ecological Rhine Station Cologne is located on a former Rhine ship, south of Cologne city center on the left bank of the Rhine. The Rhine is one of the largest rivers in Central Europe and a habitat for fish, mussels, small animals, plankton, and single-celled organisms. The flowing water laboratories on board the Rhine station offer scientists and students from the Zoological Institute excellent conditions for researching animals in the Rhine water in a realistic environment and observing changes in the Rhine ecosystem in real time.
Present topics of research:
- Flume experiments on riverine invertebrate animals
- Interactions of neozoa with indigenous species
- Structure, functioning and biodiversity of the potamal food web
- Biofilms and their interactions with grazers
- Linkages of pelagic and benthic food webs
- Long-term dynamics of the communities and biological diversity of the River Rhine
The laboratory is also used by sediment geologists from our university for studies on fluctuating stable isotope-relations in the Rhine.
Teaching:
The Ecological Rhine Station is used for several University courses in aquatic ecology, general ecology, running water ecology, environmental sciences, didactics of biology as well as for excursions on the Rhine fauna. In addition, the station is used for excursions of pupils from different schools of Cologne and its vicinity and other interested people to illustrate the life in a large stream.
Head
Prof. Dr. Patrick Fink
General Ecology, University of Cologne
Zülpicher Str.47b
50674 Köln
oekologische-rheinstation
uni-koeln.de
Contact for questions or suggestions
Dr. F. Nitsche
Phone: +49221/470 3134
Office
Phone: 0221/470 5666
Adress
Bootshaus der Universität zu Köln
Oberländer Werft
Rheinkilometer 684,5
50968 Köln-Marienburg
How to reach
The Ecological Rhine Station is easily reached by bus (No. 130 from the main building of the university) and tram (No. 16), stops are nearby. In addition, it is easily accessible by car and bicycle: Link to Google Maps