Department Aquatic Ecology

Aquatic Ecology

The Aquatic Ecology department at Eawag consists of eight research groups and covers a wide range of different disciplines in ecology and evolutionary biology, ranging from the individual level to associations and ecosystems. Learn more

The latest news from our department

July 2, 2025 –

After water is diverted for hydropower, rivers are often left with very little streamflow for nature. A new report provides an overview.

After water is diverted for hydropower, rivers are often left with very little streamflow for nature. A new report provides an overview.

Read more
April 8, 2025 –

To contain the spread of the invasive quagga mussel, Eawag researchers recommend swift action based on comprehensive prevention, early detection and containment.

To contain the spread of the invasive quagga mussel, Eawag researchers recommend swift action based on comprehensive prevention, early detection and containment.

Read more
March 26, 2025 –

Not only are the numbers of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is shown by a new study published in the journal “Nature”.

Not only are the numbers of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is shown by a new study published in the journal “Nature”.

Read more

Join our events

29.09.​2025,
9.00 am
Eawag Dübendorf

PEAK-Basiskurs B35/25

21. - 22.10.​2025,
9.00 am
Vogelwarte Sempach

PEAK-Vertiefungskurs V61/25


SNSF Starting Grants and Ambizione Fellowships


Research Projects

Investigation of the Resilience and Adaptability of Quagga Mussels
A multi phase research program by Eawag and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Together with climate change, biodiversity loss is the most pressing environmental crisis of our time. The "Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation" bundles knowledge and makes it generally available. In collaboration with key Swiss stakeholders, the Centre identifies topics for knowledge exchange, translation, and synthesis, and communicates and distributes the resulting synthesis products.
The architecture of community structure, functional traits and trophic networks across blue-green ecosystems
Dieses Projekt leistet einen Beitrag zur Blue Green Biodiversity Research Initiative - einer Eawag-WSL-Kollaboration, die sich auf die Biodiversität an der Schnittstelle von aquatischen und terrestrischen Ökosystemen konzentriert.
Why do toxic cyanobacteria bloom? A gene to ecosystem approach...
Understanding and measuring how flow intermittency drives biodiversity and river functions in an alpine environment
An Eawag-WSL collaboration focusing on Biodiversity at the interface of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Latest publications

Grolimund, A., Robinson, C. T., & Chanut, P. C. M. (2025). Effects of dry‐phase frequency and duration on macroinvertebrate assemblages in an alpine stream. Freshwater Biology, 70(7), e70072 (12 pp.). doi:10.1111/fwb.70072, Institutional Repository
Schacht, J., Büttler, S., Röllin, M., & Moser, V. (2025). Erste Nachweise des Weberknechts Lacinius dentiger (C. L. Koch, 1848) für die Schweiz (Opiliones: Phalangiidae). Entomo Helvetica, 18, 141-148. , Institutional Repository
Moser, V., de Titta, A., Büttler, S., Schacht, J., Lehmans, F., Maumary, L., & Ertl, P. (2025). Überwinternde Lachmöwen Chroicocephalus ridibundus in der Schweiz sind Winterquartier und Tagesstandort jahrelang treu: Ergebnisse aus Basel und Morges. Ornithologischer Beobachter, 122, 152-167. , Institutional Repository