Freshwater Ecology

Strategy

The team main objective is to expand the knowledge on ecological structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems at different scales in space and time.
The work is directed to solve questions on the 'what' and the 'how' within ecological interactions and processes in aquatic ecosystems. Studies deepen the understanding of the role of biology in ecosystem functioning through expanding the knowledge on species biological characteristics that help them coping with their environment, both biotic and abiotic.
Special attention is given to fundamental and applied research, amongst others:

• in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems with a strong emphasis on fauna, and their contribution in ecosystem processes, interactions and scales by focusing on key environmental factors and indicators;
•  in understanding and linking patterns and processes at different scale;
•  in understanding the functional biology of indicators by further developing hypotheses on life history tactics (in a broad sense) and the practical use of this knowledge;
•  in tackling the issue of (un)predictability of species assemblages or communities under (non)-equilibrium conditions;
•  in restoration/rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems and their surrounding catchments;
•  in the role of dispersion, migration and exotic/invasive species;
•  in effects of global and climate change;
•  in assessment, evaluation, management measures and expert knowledge concerning inland freshwater management.

Problems tackled

• environmental disturbances (e.g., climate change, water pollution, hydromorphological degradation)
• biological disturbances (e.g., non-native species, invasions, plagues)
• management questions (e.g., nature development, water quantity and quality changes)
• policy issues (e.g., predictions, evaluations, scenario studies)

Methodologies used

descriptive research

• field studies (e.g., biological and water quality sampling, continuous parameter measurements, pattern recordings)
• laboratory work (e.g., identifications, parameter analysis)
• data analysis (e.g., multivariate statistics, statistical testing)

hypothesis testing research

•  laboratory experiments (e.g., artificial streams, climate cells)
•  mesocosm experiments
•  outdoor/field experiments (e.g., enclosures, exclosures)

Objects studied (inland freshwaters)

• streams and rivers
• ditches and canals
• ponds and lakes

Organism groups included

•  macroinvertebrates
•  macrophytes
•  algae and microfauna
•  fishes

Market

• European Commission
•  National and foreign governmental agencies
•  Water and nature managers
•  Local water and nature authorities
•  Consultancies and private companies