Staff

Chantal Hischier

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About Me

Research Interests
I am PhD student and investigate how flow intensity and stream morphology influence habitat heterogeneity and refugia availability for riverine organisms (macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants and riparian vegetation). In this context, I compare near-natural, channelised and restored reaches of eleven streams in Northern Switzerland. In collaboration with partners from science and practice, the gained field survey data will be combined with hydraulic modelling.

The results of my PhD project are relevant to

  • improve our understanding of how various flows affect aquatic habitats, refugia and organisms.
  • provide evidence-based guidance for river management and restoration to identify and maintain existing refugia as well as to create new refugia from floods.

My PhD project is part of the interdisciplinary research project «Resilient Rivers: Refugia – Connectivity – Stepping Stones (2022-2026)» and the corresponding programme «Hydraulic Engineering and Ecology», launched by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Eawag, WSL, VAW-ETHZ and PL-LCH-EPFL. This project aims at characterising the factors that drive the resilience of riverine ecosystems to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.


Function

PhD student in the research group «River Restoration» at Eawag

Projects

Curriculum Vitae

Since 2023 PhD student in the research group «River Restoration»,
    Eawag and ETH Zurich
PhD Thesis: «Habitat Heterogeneity and River Ecosystem Resilience – The Relevance of Aquatic Refugia from Floods» (Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Christoph Vorburger, Dr. Christine Weber, Dr. Nico Bätz, Prof. Dr. Robert Boes)
2020-2022 Master of Science ETH in Environmental Sciences,
    ETH Zurich
Master’s Thesis: «Importance of Facilitation for Seed Germination in Alpine Plant Communities» (Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Jake M. Alexander, Prof. Dr. Janneke Hille Ris Lambers)
2017-2020 Bachelor of Science ETH in Environmental Sciences,
    ETH Zurich
Bachelor’s Thesis: «Snail’s Role in Dispersal and Genetic Diversity of Lobaria pulmonaria» (Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christoph Scheidegger)

Publications

Hischier, C. M., Hille Ris Lambers, J., Iseli, E., & Alexander, J. M. (2023). Positive and negative plant-plant interactions influence seedling establishment at both high and low elevations. Alpine Botany, 1-13. doi.org/10.1007/s00035-023-00302-8

Hischier, C. M., Frey, D., Römer, N., Scheidegger, C., Stofer, S., Vust, M., & Fink, S. (2023) Die Verhüllende Korallenflechte. Eine geschützte Auenart im Fokus von Naturschutz und Wasserbau. Merkblatt für die Praxis No. 73. 8 S. doi.org/10.55419/wsl:33524

Address

E-Mail: chantal.hischier@eawag.ch
Phone: +41 58 765 2143
Fax: +41 58 765 2168
Address: Eawag
Seestrasse 79
6047 Kastanienbaum
Office: SL C02