Team : Dr. Robert Lütkemeier

Head of the Research Unit Water and Land Use

+49 69 7076919-58 robert.luetkemeier@isoe.de @Sci_Bert

Robert Luetkemeier has been a research scientist at ISOE since 2013 and head of the research unit Water and Land Use since April 2023. From 2020 to 2025, he co-led the ‘regulate’ junior research group together with Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky. He studied Geography at the University of Bonn and received his doctorate in October 2018. In his dissertation, he assessed drought risk of households in Namibia and Angola via an integrated assessment of the environmental drought hazard and the socio-economic vulnerability conditions. His research focuses on the socio-ecological analysis of the impacts of climate change and societal change on water resources and sectoral water demands. On this basis, he develops adaptation strategies for municipalities and businesses.

ResearchGate

Focus of research

Integrated water resources management
Societal water demand modelling
Vulnerability and risk research
Climate adaptation

Publications

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Söller, Linda, Dženeta Hodžić, David Kuhn, Anne Jäger, Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky, Robert Lütkemeier, Petra Döll (2026): Addressing complex social-hydrogeological challenges through inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge co-production. Hydrogeology Journal, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-025-03002-1
Frick-Trzebitzky, Fanny, Robert Lütkemeier, Dženeta Hodžić, David Kuhn, Linda Söller, Anne Jäger (2025): Groundwater in Europe: Cornerstone for Resilience. ISOE Policy Brief 12. Frankfurt am Main. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15166166
Frick-Trzebitzky, Fanny, Robert Lütkemeier, Iordanka Guenova Dountcheva-Robles, David Sanz, Dženeta Hodžić, David Kuhn, Amit Kumar Srivastwa, Christina Walter, Linda Söller, Jakob Kramer (2025): Groundwater urgencies: what can geography offer?. Geographica Helvetica 80 (2), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-80-135-2025
Lütkemeier, Robert, David Kuhn (2025): Grundwasserstress in Deutschland. Überblicksstudie: Struktureller und akuter Grundwasserstress durch öffentliche und nichtöffentliche Entnahmen auf Ebene der Landkreise. Frankfurt am Main: Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung (ISOE)
Söller, Linda, Dženeta Hodžić, Robert Lütkemeier (2024): Buducnosti vode na otoku Krku. Smjernice za postizanje odrzive vodno-turisticke mreze. U suradnji sa interesnim grupama. Groundwater Dimensions 1. Frankfurt am Main: ISOE - Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12542334
Söller, Linda, Robert Lütkemeier, Hannes Müller Schmied, Petra Döll (2024): Groundwater stress in Europe- assessing uncertainties in future groundwater discharge alterations due to water abstractions and climate change. Front Water 6, 1448625. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1448625
Kuhn, David, Robert Lütkemeier, Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky, Linda Söller, Kristiane Fehrs (2024): Infrastructural lock-ins in the temporal and spatial development of a long-distance water transfer in Germany. Journal of Hydrology 634 (131070), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131070
Söller, Linda, Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky, Robert Lütkemeier, David Kuhn, Anne Jäger, Jörg Beyme, Maria Diebes, Jan Donner, Armin Hoch, Steffen Hooper, Toni Meier, Jutta Parnieske-Pasterkamp, Laura Ritter, Martin Schneppmüller, Torsten Wagner (2024): Leitbild 2040 Grundwasser - Ziele und Maβnahmen für ein nachhaltiges Grundwassermanagement im Landkreis Mansfeld-Südharz. Frankfurt am Main: ISOE - Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11370519
Lütkemeier, Robert, Mari Bieri, Ronja Kraus, Meed Mbidzo, Guy F. Midgley (2024): Lessons Learned from a North-South Science Partnership for Sustainable Development. In: Maltitz, Graham P., Guy F. Midgley, Jennifer Veitch, Christian Brümmer, Reimund P. Rötter (Ed.): Ecological Studies 248. Cham: Springer, 901–931. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10948-5
Möller, Kay, Stefan Liehr, Sze Yie Chan, Deike Lüdtke, Robert Lütkemeier, Axel Schmidt, Marius Wilke, Daniel Zipperer (2024): Masterplan Zukunftssichere Wasserversorgung im Saarland 2040. Saarbrücken: Verband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft des Saarlandes VEWSaar
Schuldt-Baumgart, Nicola, Robert Lütkemeier (2024): New Skin For A Landscape. Kunst und Wissenschaft im Dialog für klimaresiliente Lebensräume. In: malatsion (Ed.): New Skin For A Landscape
Sarkar, Priyanka, Robert Lütkemeier (2024): Unveiling the importance of small-scale and seasonal wetlands: policy imeratives for groundwater sustainability in India. Current Science 126 (10), 1207–1208
Söller, Linda, Dženeta Hodžić, Robert Lütkemeier (2024): Water Futures on Krk Island. Guiding Principles for achieving a Sustainable Water-Tourism-Nexus. Groundwater Dimensions 1. Frankfurt am Main: ISOE - Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10907296
Lütkemeier, Robert, Ronja Kraus, Meed Mbidzo, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Stefan Liehr, Niels Blaum (2023): A Qualitative Exploration of Conflicts in Human-Wildlife Interactions in Namibia's Kunene Region. Diversity 15 (3), 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030440
Kraus, Ronja, Stefan Liehr, Robert Lütkemeier, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Ivonne Makando, Nichola M. Knox (2023): Cumulative impact of fences and land use on elephant movement. Factsheet 12. Frankfurt am Main et al.: ORYCS Project Consortium
Frick-Trzebitzky, Fanny, Robert Lütkemeier (2023): Groundwater messages to the UN: from (in)visibility to envisioning. ISOE Blog Soziale Ökologie. Krise - Kritik - Gestaltung. https://www.isoe.de/en/blog/groundwater-messages-to-the-un-from-invisibility-to-envisioning
Lütkemeier, Robert, Linda Söller, Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky (2022): Anthropogenic Pressures on Groundwater. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters (Second Edition) 3, 548–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819166-8.00183-3
Liehr, Stefan, Robert Lütkemeier, Deike Lüdtke (2021): Erstellung eines Trinkwassertagesbedarf-Prognose-Modells für das Versorgungsgebiet von HAMBURG WASSER. Frankfurt am Main: ISOE - Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung
Kraus, Ronja, Robert Lütkemeier, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Stefan Liehr (2021): Finished ORYCS master's thesis: Landscape permeability for elephant movement. SPACES II Newsletter 5. Science Partnerships for the Adaptation to Complex Earth System Processes in Southern Africa, 6
Frick-Trzebitzky, Fanny, Robert Lütkemeier (2021): Groundwater: De-localized Resources in the Anthropocene. ISOE Blog Soziale Ökologie. Krise - Kritik - Gestaltung. https://www.isoe.de/en/blog/groundwater-de-localized-resources-in-the-anthropocene
Lüdtke, Deike, Robert Lütkemeier, Michael Schneemann, Stefan Liehr (2021): Increase in Daily Household Water Demand during the First Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Germany. Sustainability 13 (3), 260. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13030260
Drees, Lukas, Robert Lütkemeier, Heide Kerber (2021): Necessary or oversimplification? On the strengths and limitations of current assessments to integrate social dimensions in planetary boundaries. Ecological Indicators 129 (October), 108009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108009
Lütkemeier, Robert, Ronja Kraus, Meed Mbidzo, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Stefan Liehr (2021): Stakeholder Attitudes towards Wildlife-Based Land Use in Namibia's Kunene Region. IGC-IRC2021 Proceedings Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Lütkemeier, Robert, Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky, Dženeta Hodžić, Anne Jäger, David Kuhn, Linda Söller (2021): Telecoupled Groundwaters: New Ways to Investigate Increasingly De-Localized Resources. Sustainability 13 (20), 2906. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13202906
Lüdtke, Deike, Robert Lütkemeier (2021): Wasserverbrauch in Lockdown-Zeiten und Konsequenzen für die zukünftige Versorgungssicherheit. ISOE Blog Soziale Ökologie. Krise - Kritik - Gestaltung. https://www.isoe.de/blog/wasserverbrauch-in-lockdown-zeiten-und-konsequenzen-f%C3%BCr-die-zuk%C3%BCnftige-versorgungssicherheit?x-craft-preview=e937fb2d634463000f323d1939d1feb3a8f32d9e1affb6febfe0af8dcf034f92ntkdwbkvqt&token=nV6TQY3tV46yXDlgVm5Pi2bqzdvMw4AQ
Lütkemeier, Robert, Meed Mbidzo, Stefan Liehr (2021): Water security and rangeland sustainability: Transdisciplinary research insights from Namibian-German collaborations. South African Journal of Science 117 (1/2), 7773. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2021/7773
Kraus, Ronja, Robert Lütkemeier, Meed Mbidzo, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Stefan Liehr (2020): Approaching the interaction between society and wildlife. SPACES II Newsletter 2. Science Partnerships for the Adaptation to Complex Earth System Processes in Southern Africa, 23
Fickel, Thomas, Robert Lütkemeier, Diana Hummel (2020): Biodiversitätskonflikte. Eine sozial-ökologische Perspektive. W & F Wissenschaft und Frieden 38 (4), 26–29
Kraus, Ronja, Robert Lütkemeier, Meed Mbidzo, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Stefan Liehr (2020): Stakeholder attitudes on wildlife in Namibia's Kunene Region. SPACES II Newsletter 4. Science Partnerships for the Adaptation to Complex Earth System Processes in Southern Africa, 16
Liehr, Stefan, Robert Lütkemeier, Denise Marx, Oliver Schulz (2019): Entwicklung und Anwendung wasserwirtschaftlicher Proxies und Szenarien in Vergangenheit und Zukunft. Schlussbericht. Frankfurt am Main
Lütkemeier, Robert, Ronja Kraus, Meed Mbidzo, Stefan Liehr (2019): First assessment of perspectives on wildlife management. SPACES II Newsletter 1. Science Partnerships for the Adaptation to Complex Earth System Processes in Southern Africa
Liehr, Stefan, Robert Lütkemeier (2019): Fundierte Vorausschau statt bloβer Schätzung. Bedarfsprognosen. der gemeinderat 63 (12/19 - 1/20), 56–57
Lütkemeier, Robert, Stefan Liehr (2019): Integrated responses to drought risk in Namibia and Angola. Watersolutions (3), 56–61
Lütkemeier, Robert, Stefan Liehr (2018): Drought sensitivity in the Cuvelai Basin: empirical analysis of seasonal water and food consumption patterns. In: Revermann, Rasmus, Kristin M. Krewenka, Ute Schmiedel, Jane M. Olwoch, Jörg Helmschrot, Norbert Jürgens (Ed.): Biodiversity & Ecology 6. Göttingen & Windhoek: Klaus Hess Publishers, 160–167. https://doi.org/10.7809/b-e.00319
Lütkemeier, Robert, Stefan Liehr (2018): Household Drought Risk Index (HDRI): Social-Ecological Assessment of Drought Risk in the Cuvelai-Basin. Journal of Natural Resources and Development 08, 46–68
Lütkemeier, Robert (2018): Households at Risk. Integrated Assessment of Drought Hazard and Social Vulnerability in the Cuvelai-Basin of Angola and Namibia. Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades (Dr.rer.nat.) der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. Bonn: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Lütkemeier, Robert, Johanna Kramm, Stefan Liehr (2018): Living in the 'hottest room' of hothouse Earth. How a multi-resources-mix can reduce drought risk in Namibia. Watersolutions (3), 82–86
Taubenböck, Hannes, Inken Müller, Christian Geiß, Robert Lütkemeier (2018): Risk management - a conceptual foundation. In: Revermann, Rasmus, Kristin M. Krewenka, Ute Schmiedel, Jane M. Olwoch, Jörg Helmschrot, Norbert Jürgens (Ed.): Biodiversity & Ecology 6. Göttingen & Windhoek: Klaus Hess Publishers, 132–135. https://doi.org/10.7809/b-e.00314
Lütkemeier, Robert, Lina Stein, Lukas Drees, Hannes Müller, Stefan Liehr (2018): Uncertainty of Rainfall Products: Impact on Modelling Household Nutrition from Rain-Fed Agriculture in Southern Africa. Sustainability 10 (4), 499. https://doi.org/10.3390/w1004099
Lütkemeier, Robert, Lina Stein, Lukas Drees, Stefan Liehr (2017): Blended Drought Index: Integrated Drought Hazard Assessment in the Cuvelai-Basin. Climate 5 (3), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli5030051
Lütkemeier, Robert, Lina Stein, Lukas Drees, Stefan Liehr (2017): Drought in the Cuvelai-Basin. Integrated Tool for Drought Hazard Assessment. SASSCAL NEWS 2 (3), 12–13
Kampfl, Sarah, Robert Lütkemeier, Stefan Liehr (2017): Impact of Household Decisions on Grazing Pressure in Northern Namibia. Modelling Approach for Sustainable Livestock Management. SASSCAL NEWS 2 (2), 13–14
Lütkemeier, Robert, Stefan Liehr (2015): Impact of drought on the inhabitants of the Cuvelai watershed: A qualitative exploration. In: Andreu, Joaquin, Abel Solera, Javier Paredes-Arquiola, David Haro-Monteagudo, Henny van Lanen (Ed.): Drought - Research and Science-Policy Interfacing Taylor & Francis Group, 41–48

Current Publications

Addressing complex social-hydrogeological challenges through inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge co-production

Hydrogeology Journal

Addressing complex social-hydrogeological challenges through inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge co-production

Linda Söller et al.

2026
Groundwater in Europe: Cornerstone for Resilience

ISOE Policy Brief

Groundwater in Europe: Cornerstone for Resilience

Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky et al.

2025
Groundwater urgencies: what can geography offer?

Geographica Helvetica

Groundwater urgencies: what can geography offer?

Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky et al.

2025
Grundwasserstress in Deutschland

Grundwasserstress in Deutschland

Robert Lütkemeier, David Kuhn

2025
Buducnosti vode na otoku Krku. Smjernice za postizanje odrzive vodno-turisticke mreze. U suradnji sa interesnim grupama

Groundwater Dimensions

Buducnosti vode na otoku Krku. Smjernice za postizanje odrzive vodno-turisticke mreze. U suradnji sa interesnim grupama

Linda Söller, Dženeta Hodžić, Robert Lütkemeier

2024

Projects

LEILA – Guiding concepts for a regional, near-natural landscape water balance

Water Knowledge and Participation

LEILA – Guiding concepts for a regional, near-natural landscape water balance

How can water resources in Germany be managed in a climate-resilient way? The research project is developing models for a near-natural landscape water balance – as a compass for sustainable water management and resilience against droughts and floods.
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OPTALS – Optimal control of reservoir systems in the context of global change

Water Climate Adaptation

OPTALS – Optimal control of reservoir systems in the context of global change

In the face of changing water availability and demand, optimal reservoir management is crucial. This is demonstrated by the research project using the example of the “Harzwasserwerke” reservoir network system in the western Harz Mountains.
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Climate adaptation concept for the city of Weimar

Climate Adaptation Knowledge and Participation

Climate adaptation concept for the city of Weimar

ISOE and Energy Effizienz GmbH are developing a climate adaptation concept for Weimar that involves local stakeholders and offers practical solutions for climate-resilient municipal development.
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Climate adaptation concept for the city of Baesweiler

Climate Adaptation Knowledge and Participation

Climate adaptation concept for the city of Baesweiler

ISOE and Energy Effizienz GmbH are developing a climate adaptation concept for Baesweiler that involves local stakeholders and offers practical solutions for climate-resilient municipal development.
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Climate adaptation concept for the municipality of Gau-Algesheim

Climate Adaptation Knowledge and Participation

Climate adaptation concept for the municipality of Gau-Algesheim

ISOE and Energy Effizienz GmbH are developing a climate adaptation concept for Gau-Algesheim that involves local stakeholders and offers practical solutions for climate-resilient municipal development.
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tweacEUROPE – Telecouplings, water extremes, and pathways to greater resilience in Europe

Water Knowledge and Participation

tweacEUROPE – Telecouplings, water extremes, and pathways to greater resilience in Europe

The tweacEUROPE project brings together stakeholders to address Europe's growing challenges posed by water extremes and to strengthen resilience through research on telecouplings.
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Water demand forecast for Düsseldorf 2045 – Scientific basis for decision-making on climate-resilient drinking water supply

Water

Water demand forecast for Düsseldorf 2045 – Scientific basis for decision-making on climate-resilient drinking water supply

On behalf of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG, the project team is preparing a forecast of water demand for the supply area of the city of Düsseldorf until 2045. Current social, economic, and climatic developments are taken into account in order to create a sound basis for strategic water supply planning.
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regulate – Sustainable Groundwater Management in Europe

Water Land Use Climate Adaptation

regulate – Sustainable Groundwater Management in Europe

The junior research group regulate investigates challenges in the management of groundwater in Europe against the background of acute drought, conflictuality and the complexity of institutional frameworks.
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GRAVIS: Groundwater stress in Germany – Regional analyses and visualization

Water Land Use

GRAVIS: Groundwater stress in Germany – Regional analyses and visualization

ISOE identifies regions in Germany that are affected by groundwater stress.
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Application platform for an automated forecasting of the daily water demand in Hamburg

Water

Application platform for an automated forecasting of the daily water demand in Hamburg

To optimize water management, the project is developing a forecasting platform for Hamburg's daily water demand.
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Master Plan “Future-proof Drinking Water Supply in Saarland 2040”

Water

Master Plan “Future-proof Drinking Water Supply in Saarland 2040”

The project develops a basis for decision-making for water supply companies, authorities and municipalities to ensure a long-term and sustainable water supply.
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The current and future state of our water resources

Water

The current and future state of our water resources

The project analyzes the state of scientific knowledge on global, European and German water resources in order to better predict their future changes.
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ORYCS – Wildlife-based management strategies in Namibia

Land Use Biodiversity

ORYCS – Wildlife-based management strategies in Namibia

ORYCS investigates the suitability of wildlife management strategies as a climate-friendly land use option. Together with stakeholders, it develops conflict-regulating approaches.
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Daily drinking water demand – forecast model for Hamburg

Water

Daily drinking water demand – forecast model for Hamburg

On behalf of HAMBURG WASSER, the project team is developing a forecasting model to estimate the daily drinking water demand in the company's supply area.
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Water demand forecast 2050 (base year 2019) for the WBV Harburg

Water

Water demand forecast 2050 (base year 2019) for the WBV Harburg

In its water demand forecast, ISOE combines data from influencing factors such as demographics and climate.
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Proxies and Scenarios for the Development of Water Demand

Water

Proxies and Scenarios for the Development of Water Demand

The project analyzes water withdrawals and return flows in German river basins in order to better assess the impact of human activities on the water balance.
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Smart Water Future India: Intelligent Water Management for India’s Cities

Water

Smart Water Future India: Intelligent Water Management for India’s Cities

A concept for sustainable water management in an intelligently networked city is to be developed using the example of the southern Indian city of Coimbatore.
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SASSCAL – Water-related vulnerabilities and risk in Southern Africa

Water Land Use

SASSCAL – Water-related vulnerabilities and risk in Southern Africa

The project team is analysing to what extent water-related vulnerabilities and risks for the population and ecosystems are developing within the context of global change and how these might conceivably be reduced.
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