SciFish
Synthesis of changes in Fish species and habitats
Group leader: Libor Závorka
The research of the SciFish group focuses on the role of anthropogenic pressures that shape functional diversity of fishes and on impacts of evolutionary changes on ecosystem functioning. Lakes and rivers despite their relatively small surface host vast amount of biodiversity. These ecosystems are currently facing significant challenges, including biological invasions and the effects of climate change causing warming and more frequent extreme weather events. These issues pose a substantial threat to biodiversity and the services provided to us by these ecosystems. Research of the SciFish group aims are to enhance our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms operating on organisms within aquatic ecosystems, and thereby facilitating their effective conservation.
Research topics:
• Eco-evolutionary dynamics in lakes and rivers
• Fish behaviour and physiology
• Biology of aquatic invasions
FLUVICHEM
Fluvial Biogeochemistry and Ecology
Group leader: Gabriele Weigelhofer
We investigate how climate change and land use intensification impact the integrity and functioning of streams and rivers. Our research is dedicated to increasing our mechanistic understanding of the resilience and resistance of benthic and hyporheic biofilm functions to stressors such as intermittency, warming, pollution, and hydro-morphological changes. Furthermore, we focus on Citizen Science, science education and communication to help bridging the gap between science and the public.
Research topics:
• Nutrient spiralling from biofilm to stream scale
• Resistance and resilience of biofilm processes to global change
• Participatory environmental research
CARBOCROBE
Carbon Cycling and the Role of Microbes from Source to Sea
Group leader: Katrin Attermeyer
Carbocrobe is dedicated to better understand and unravel the mysteries of the smallest organisms involved in the turnover of carbon in freshwaters from source to sea. We use experimental and field studies to uncover the role of microbes in carbon and other nutrient cycles in aquatic ecosystems.
Research topics:
• Aquatic Microbial Ecology
• Carbon Cycling from Source to Sea
• Environmental Change Research
Link: https://carbocrobe.jimdosite.com
LIPTOX
Aquatic Lipid Research and Ecotoxicology
Group leader: Martin Kainz
Aquatic organisms acquire dietary nutrients, but also toxic substances. LIPTOX investigates the origin and composition of nutrition in different waters. Questions of special interest are, which diet delivers the most nutritious and physiologically required compounds, in particular lipids and their fatty acids, and which diets convey the least toxic substances. That is not only important for aquatic organisms, but also for humans as ultimate consumers at the top of the food chain.
Research topics:
• Aquatic food webs
• Ecotoxicology
• Trophic lipid research
QUIVER
Aquatic Biodiversity and Entomology Research
Group leader: Simon Vitecek
Insects arguably contribute a significant portion of macrospcopic biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems. Focus of the working group is on diversity of aquatic insects, their evolutionary ecology and the constraining factors controlling local and regional biodiversity patterns in this group. Further, the importance of diversity as source of ecosystem function and connectivity shall be examined.
Research topics:
• Taxonomy and Systematics of Trichoptera and Plecoptera
• Aquatic biodiversity
• Evolutionary ecology of aquatic invertebrates models