I am a postdoctoral researcher with a keen interest in aquatic-terrestrial linkages, temporal dynamics and the functional role of species. After my PhD in the Altermatt Lab, I continue my research on the functional role of leaf litter decomposition, especially focusing on contrasting decomposition in aquatic and terrestrial systems and on integrating seasonal dynamics. Additionally, I investigate spatial and temporal changes in stream insect communities and amphipod assemblages. My aim is to use temporally-explicit empirical data to understand ecological processes within their phenological context. 

Education

2019 - 2023    PhD in Aquatic Ecology, University of Zurich, Switzerland

2016 - 2017    Master of Science in Ecology, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Research experiences

2018                Research assistant at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria

Publications

Cereghetti, E., R. Bossart, A. Bruder, A. Krähenbühl, F. Wolf, and F. Altermatt. 2025. The year of a leaf: Tracking the fate of leaf litter and its nutrients during aquatic decomposition and consumption. Ecology 106:e4520. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4520

Alther, R., F. Cerroti, E. Cereghetti, A. Krähenbühl, and F. Altermatt. 2024. Generalization of a density-dependent ecosystem function in dominant aquatic macroinvertebrates. Oikos 2024:e10774. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.10774

Blackman, R.; Couton, M.; Keck, F.; Kirschner, D.; Carraro, L.; Cereghetti, E.; Perrelet, K.; Bossart, R.; Brantschen, J.; Zhang, Y.; Altermatt, F. 2024 Environmental DNA: the next chapter , Molecular Ecology , 33 (11) , e17355 (17 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17355

Cereghetti, E.; Altermatt, F. 2023 Spatiotemporal dynamics in freshwater amphipod assemblages are associated with surrounding terrestrial land use type , Ecosphere , 14 (3) , e4469 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4469

Pickup, M., Y. Brandvain, C. Fraisse, S. Yakimowski, N. Barton, T. Dixit, C. Lexer, E. Cereghetti, D. Field. 2019. Mating system variation in hybrid zones: facilitation, barriers and asymmetries to gene flow. New Phytologist. 224 (3), 1035-1047. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16180

Cereghetti, E., M. Grueebler, J. Fattebert, and P. Scherler. 2019. Quantification of anthropogenic food subsidies to an avian facultative scavenger in urban and rural habitats. Landscape and Urban Planning. 190, 103606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103606

Van Buskirk, J., E. Cereghetti, and J. S. Hess. 2017. Is bigger really better? Relative and absolute body size influence individual growth rate under competition. Ecology and Evolution. 7 (11), 3745-3750. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2978