The Climate Collaboratorium: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Groundwater Modelling for Climate Adaptation in the Sorbian Community of Rietschen (Görlitz District, Germany)

This presentation will introduce the Climate Collaboratorium, a transdisciplinary and participatory research project uniting groundwater science, social research, and local stakeholders in the Sorbian community of Rietschen, Germany. We will present the project’s innovative framework, focusing on the co-development of a conceptual site model through stakeholder workshops involving representatives from fisheries, mining,  public authorities (engaged in groundwater management), and civil society. Drawing on regional climate projections, multiple groundwater recharge estimation methods, and locally developed socio-economic scenarios, we integrate hydrogeological and social-ecological data into a dynamic numerical platform to simulate future groundwater responses under diverse adaptation pathways. Preliminary results highlight the identification of key vulnerabilities, potential synergies, and trade-offs between ecological and social dimensions. Our approach further incorporates creative, participatory scenario processes to support local engagement, broaden understanding of groundwater processes, and support sustainable water governance. Comparable studies are conducted in Canada, the UK, and the USA, allowing for a broader perspective to identify common challenges and unique solutions for better climate adaption. This presentation will detail the collaborative modelling approach, early project insights, and implications for sustainable, community-based groundwater management under climate change.