Biodiversity

In Lake Constance, sticklebacks are occupying increasingly varied habitat types – in recent years even including the open and deep waters of the lake. In an Eawag review undertaken as part of the “SeeWandel” project, these uniquely diverse ecological adaptations are explained in terms of renewed contact between three stickleback lineages – including one originating from the Baltic region, whose genetic material is as yet rarely observed in other Swiss lakes.

Copepods (minute crustaceans with paddle-like feet) can differentiate between disturbances in water generated by nearby organisms and turbulence caused by wind or waves – an ability which helps them to find mates. It had previously been assumed that turbulent conditions would impede the quest for mates.

Beavers are master builders that reshape aquatic landscapes with their dams and lodges. The environments they inhabit experience an increase in the biodiversity of aquatic organisms, for example. Now, for the first time, an Eawag study from the wine-growing region known as “Zürcher Weinland” has shown that this is also true for streams in areas given over largely to agriculture. The rodents could therefore be interesting partners when it comes to enhancing bodies of water.

Biodiversity is key to modern, sustainable forest management. The more diverse and species-rich a forest is, the better it can cope with external influences, protect against natural hazards, produce timber and serve recreational needs. This is the message that emerged from the “Forum für Wissen” held virtually in November 2020 by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).

The Ecotox Centre presents a new strategy to assess the quality of sediments. Sediments are of great significance in water protection.