Abteilung Aquatische Ökologie

Early detection of invasive species is critical to understanding their ecological impact and managing their spread. This project investigates the early-stage colonization of quagga mussels in Lake Zurich, where the species was first confirmed in 2024.

Using a combination of benthic macroinvertebrate surveys, density assessments, and comparisons to historical data, this work package aims to:

i) Document how benthic invertebrate communities in Lake Zurich have changed since the 1970s–1980s,

ii) Track the spatial distribution, density, and age structure of quagga mussels during their initial invasion phase, and

iii) Evaluate shifts in community composition, with a focus on invasive species dominance and biodiversity metrics.

Fieldwork spans seven locations and multiple depths (1 m, 5 m, 15 m). Initial results reveal invasive species now dominate the lakebed, while quagga mussels remain rare but are establishing, with individuals aged 1–3 years. Data from Zurich’s drinking water monitoring program will also be integrated to track veliger presence and seasonal dynamics.

This work establishes a critical baseline for long-term ecological monitoring and provides early insights into how invasive species like quagga mussels spread at an early stage of invasion.