Department Aquatic Ecology

Spatial Dynamics

We are part of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at University of Zürich (UZH). Our group is hosted by Eawag in Dübendorf, where our offices and labs are based.

With our work we want to understand how species occur in space and time, how they interact, and how processes such as species invasions, dispersal or climate change affect natural communities. Metapopulation, metacommunity and meta-ecosystems theory provide a conceptual framework for our research. We use both an experimental and a comparative approach, and integrate them with theoretical models. Depending on the question, we use a variety of study systems, ranging from protists (microcosm-experiments), to aquatic invertebrates (field studies with amphipods, planktonic crustaceans, and freshwater insects), and Lepidoptera. Currently, we are especially interested how dispersal in dendritic networks affects community diversity and ecosystem processes.

Research Focus

  • We study dispersal, the spread of invasive species and biodiversity patterns in dendritic landscapes.
  • We study dispersal dynamics in metapopulations, meta-communities and meta-ecosystems, using a combination of mathematical models, protist microcosm experiments and comparative field
  • We are analyzing large-scale biodiversity patterns in riverine ecosystems and are identifying the driving processes behind them.
  • We develop and use oenvironmental DNA (eDNA) technologies to monitor macroinvertebrates in rivers.
  • We study plant-insect interactions, with a focus on novel trophic interactions of Lepidoptera and their host plants.

For further information about our research please contact our site at University of Zurich or the Altermatt lab homepage.

Current Projects

An Eawag-WSL collaboration focusing on Biodiversity at the interface of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Assess the distribution and genetic structure of all amphipod species in Switzerland.
Developing tools and protocols on how to use novel eDNA technology in the context of biodiversity monitoring in riverine ecosystems.
Studying dispersal processes and diversity patterns in dendritic networks, using a wider range of approaches, including simulation models, protist microcosm experiments and field studies.

Biodiversity and dispersal in dendritic networks

Team

Dr. Antoine Adde Postdoctoral Researcher Tel. +41 58 765 5606 Send Mail
Dr. Roman Alther Senior scientist (he/him) Tel. +41 58 765 5638 Send Mail
Dr. Luca Carraro Scientist - SNSF Ambizione Fellow Tel. +41 58 765 5207 Send Mail
Dr. Erika Freeman biogeochemist, global change ecologist Tel. +41 58 765 6687 Send Mail
Emanuele Giacomuzzo PhD student Tel. +41 58 765 6854 Send Mail
Luke Ireland Tel. +41 58 765 6747 Send Mail
Silvana Käser Tel. +41 58 765 6870 Send Mail
Dr. Heng Zhang Tel. +41 58 765 5412 Send Mail
Red Calore Tel. +41 58 765 5312 Send Mail
Barbara Alther Tel. +41 58 765 5312 Send Mail
Grace Kotnik Tel. +41 58 765 6679 Send Mail
Sarah Daker Tel. +41 58 765 6485 Send Mail
Giulia Zecchin Lab Technician Tel. +41 58 765 5622 Send Mail

Current Publications

Peller, T., Gounand, I., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Resource flow network structure drives metaecosystem function. American Naturalist, 204(6), 546-560. doi:10.1086/732812, Institutional Repository
Adde, A., Külling, N., Rey, P. ‐L., Fopp, F., Brun, P., Broennimann, O., … Guisan, A. (2024). Projecting untruncated climate change effects on species' climate suitability: insights from an alpine country. Global Change Biology, 30(11), e17557 (16 pp.). doi:10.1111/gcb.17557, Institutional Repository
Widmer, I., Mühlethaler, R., Baur, B., Gonseth, Y., Guntern, J., Klaus, G., … Altermatt, F. (2024). Diversità degli insetti in Svizzera. Importanza, tendenze, possibili azioni (Swiss Academies reports, Report No.: 19/4). doi:10.5281/zenodo.10990630, Institutional Repository
Morán-Ordóñez, A., Guisan, A., Altermatt, F., Arlettaz, R., Boussange, V., Krug, C., … Pierre, E. (2024). Developing renewable energy while preserving biodiversity: impacts, trade-offs, and synergies. In S. Nick, A. Guisan, A. Morán-Ordóñez, & C. Ballif (Eds.), RE-BD AR2024. Accelerating renewable energy development while enhancing biodiversity protection in Switzerland. CLIMACT (pp. 43-53). Retrieved from https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/c9c77241-70c8-414b-b8f2-f6d3cd1b5579, Institutional Repository
Chauvier-Mendes, Y., Adde, A., Guisan, A., Altermatt, F., Krug, C., & Morán-Ordónez, A. (2024). Biodiversity and ecosystems: pressures and climate impact. In S. Nick, A. Guisan, A. Morán-Ordóñez, & C. Ballif (Eds.), RE-BD AR2024. Accelerating renewable energy development while enhancing biodiversity protection in Switzerland. CLIMACT (pp. 21-27). Retrieved from https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/c9c77241-70c8-414b-b8f2-f6d3cd1b5579, Institutional Repository
Alther, R., Cerroti, F., Cereghetti, E., Krähenbühl, A., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Generalization of a density-dependent ecosystem function in dominant aquatic macroinvertebrates. Oikos, 2024(12), e10774 (12 pp.). doi:10.1111/oik.10774, Institutional Repository
Knüsel, M., Alther, R., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Terrestrial land use signals on groundwater fauna beyond current protection buffers. Ecological Applications. doi:10.1002/eap.3040, Institutional Repository
Knüsel, M., Alther, R., Couton, M., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Temporal consistency and spatial variability in detection: implications for monitoring of macroinvertebrates from shallow groundwater aquifers. Subterranean Biology, 49, 139-161. doi:10.3897/subtbiol.49.132515, Institutional Repository
Altermatt, F., Güsewell, S., & Holderegger, R. (2024). Blaugrüne Biodiversität zwischen Wasser und Land. Vierteljahrsschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Zürich, 169(3), 4-7. , Institutional Repository
Ho, H. C., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Predicted community consequences of spatially explicit global change-induced processes on plant–insect networks. Ecology and Evolution, 14(9), e70272 (13 pp.). doi:10.1002/ece3.70272, Institutional Repository
Oester, R., Altermatt, F., & Bruder, A. (2024). Riparian forests shape trophic interactions in detrital stream food webs. Functional Ecology, 38(10), 2196-2206. doi:10.1111/1365-2435.14639, Institutional Repository
Altermatt, F., Graham, C., Holderegger, R., Fischer, M., & Klaus, G. (2024). Identifier, préserver et promouvoir la biodiversité bleu-vert. Enseignements tirés de l'initiative de recherche «Blue-Green Biodiversity». Dübendorf; Birmensdorf: Eawag (Institut fédéral suisse des sciences et technologies de l'eau, du domaine des EPF); WSL (Institut fédéral de recherches sur la forêt, la neige et le paysage, du domaine des EPF). , Institutional Repository
Altermatt, F., Graham, C., Holderegger, R., Fischer, M., & Klaus, G. (2024). Blau-grüne Biodiversität erkennen, erhalten und fördern. Erkenntnisse aus der Forschungsinitiative «Blue-Green Biodiversity». Dübendorf; Birmensdorf: Eawag (Wasserforschungsinstitut des ETH-Bereichs); WSL (Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft, ETH-Bereich). , Institutional Repository
Blackman, R. C., Weisse, B., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Drivers of spatio-temporal variation in organic matter decomposition across a river network. Ecological Indicators, 166, 112502 (8 pp.). doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112502, Institutional Repository
Altermatt, F., Güsewell, S., & Holderegger, R. (2024). Biodiversität zwischen Wasser und Land. Exkursionen zu Gewässern, Mooren und Auen der Schweiz. Bern: Haupt Verlag. , Institutional Repository
Knüsel, M., Alther, R., Locher, N., Ozgul, A., Fišer, C., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Systematic and highly resolved modelling of biodiversity in inherently rare groundwater amphipods. Journal of Biogeography, 51(11), 2094-2108. doi:10.1111/jbi.14975, Institutional Repository
Bizzozzero, M. R., Altermatt, F., Cicciarella, R., Walser, J. C., Willems, E. P., & Krützen, M. (2024). Enhancing environmental DNA metabarcoding from marine ecosystems: impact of filter type, storage method, and storage time on the assessment of fish alpha and beta diversity. Environmental DNA, 6(3), e570 (15 pp.). doi:10.1002/edn3.570, Institutional Repository
Zhang, Y., Qiu, Y., Liu, K., Zhong, W., Yang, J., Altermatt, F., & Zhang, X. (2024). Evaluating eDNA and eRNA metabarcoding for aquatic biodiversity assessment: from bacteria to vertebrates. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 21, 100441 (9 pp.). doi:10.1016/j.ese.2024.100441, Institutional Repository
Knüsel, M., Alther, R., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Pronounced changes of subterranean biodiversity patterns along a Late Pleistocene glaciation gradient. Ecography, 2024(8), e07321 (10 pp.). doi:10.1111/ecog.07321, Institutional Repository
Stoch, F., Knüsel, M., Zakšek, V., Alther, R., Salussolia, A., Altermatt, F., … Flot, J. F. (2024). Integrative taxonomy of the groundwater amphipod Niphargus bihorensis Schellenberg, 1940 reveals a species-rich clade. Contributions to Zoology, 93(4), 371-395. doi:10.1163/18759866-bja10064, Institutional Repository
Welti, E. A. R., Bowler, D. E., Sinclair, J. S., Altermatt, F., Álvarez-Cabria, M., Amatulli, G., … Haase, P. (2024). Time series of freshwater macroinvertebrate abundances and site characteristics of European streams and rivers. Scientific Data, 11(1), 601 (8 pp.). doi:10.1038/s41597-024-03445-3, Institutional Repository
Brantschen, J., Fopp, F., Adde, A., Keck, F., Guisan, A., Pellissier, L., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Habitat suitability models reveal the spatial signal of environmental DNA in riverine networks. Ecography, 2024(8), e07267 (12 pp.). doi:10.1111/ecog.07267, Institutional Repository
Perry, W. B., Seymour, M., Orsini, L., Jâms, I. B., Milner, N., Edwards, F., … Creer, S. (2024). An integrated spatio-temporal view of riverine biodiversity using environmental DNA metabarcoding. Nature Communications, 15(1), 4372 (13 pp.). doi:10.1038/s41467-024-48640-3, Institutional Repository
Blackman, R. C., Carraro, L., Keck, F., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Measuring the state of aquatic environments using eDNA - Upscaling spatial resolution of biotic indices. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 379(1904), 20230121 (9 pp.). doi:10.1098/rstb.2023.0121, Institutional Repository
Blackman, R., Couton, M., Keck, F., Kirschner, D., Carraro, L., Cereghetti, E., … Altermatt, F. (2024). Environmental DNA: the next chapter. Molecular Ecology, 33(11), e17355 (17 pp.). doi:10.1111/mec.17355, Institutional Repository
Perrelet, K., Moretti, M., Dietzel, A., Altermatt, F., & Cook, L. M. (2024). Engineering blue-green infrastructure for and with biodiversity in cities. npj Urban Sustainability, 4(1), 27 (11 pp.). doi:10.1038/s42949-024-00163-y, Institutional Repository
Jeevannavar, A., Narwani, A., Matthews, B., Spaak, P., Brantschen, J., Mächler, E., … Tamminen, M. (2024). Foundation species stabilize an alternative eutrophic state in nutrient-disturbed ponds via selection on microbial community. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15, 1310374 (14 pp.). doi:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1310374, Institutional Repository
Carraro, L., & Altermatt, F. (2024). eDITH: an R-package to spatially project eDNA-based biodiversity across river networks with minimal prior information. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 15(5), 806-815. doi:10.1111/2041-210X.14317, Institutional Repository
Peller, T., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Invasive species drive cross-ecosystem effects worldwide. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 8, 1087-1097. doi:10.1038/s41559-024-02380-1, Institutional Repository
Van de Schoot, E., Merckx, T., Ebert, D., Wesselingh, R. A., Altermatt, F., & Van Dyck, H. (2024). Evolutionary change in flight-to-light response in urban moths comes with changes in wing morphology. Biology Letters, 20(3), 20230486 (7 pp.). doi:10.1098/rsbl.2023.0486, Institutional Repository
Schneider, A. S., Knüsel, M., Alther, R., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Grundwasserbiodiversität: Makroinvertebraten in Schweizer Grundwasserökosystemen - Vorkommen, Vielfalt und Biomasse. Aqua & Gas, 104(3), 16-21. , Institutional Repository
Talluto, M., del Campo, R., Estévez, E., Altermatt, F., Datry, T., & Singer, G. (2024). Towards (better) fluvial meta-ecosystem ecology: a research perspective. npj Biodiversity, 3, 3 (10 pp.). doi:10.1038/s44185-023-00036-0, Institutional Repository
Sinclair, J. S., Welti, E. A. R., Altermatt, F., Álvarez-Cabria, M., Aroviita, J., Baker, N. J., … Haase, P. (2024). Multi-decadal improvements in the ecological quality of European rivers are not consistently reflected in biodiversity metrics. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 8, 430-441. doi:10.1038/s41559-023-02305-4, Institutional Repository
Stoffers, T., Altermatt, F., Baldan, D., Bilous, O., Borgwardt, F., Buijse, A. D., … Hein, T. (2024). Reviving Europe's rivers: seven challenges in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law to restore free‐flowing rivers. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 11(3), e1717 (23 pp.). doi:10.1002/wat2.1717, Institutional Repository
Mammola, S., Altermatt, F., Alther, R., Amorim, I. R., Băncilă, R. I., Borges, P. A. V., … Malard, F. (2024). Perspectives and pitfalls in preserving subterranean biodiversity through protected areas. npj Biodiversity, 3, 2 (9 pp.). doi:10.1038/s44185-023-00035-1, Institutional Repository
Külling, N., Adde, A., Fopp, F., Schweiger, A. K., Broennimann, O., Rey, P. L., … Guisan, A. (2024). SWECO25: a cross-thematic raster database for ecological research in Switzerland. Scientific Data, 11(1), 21 (7 pp.). doi:10.1038/s41597-023-02899-1, Institutional Repository
Ho, H. C., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Associating the structure of Lepidoptera-plant interaction networks across clades and life stages to environmental gradients. Journal of Biogeography, 51(4), 725-738. doi:10.1111/jbi.14776, Institutional Repository
Fronhofer, E. A., Govaert, L., O'Connor, M. I., Schreiber, S. J., & Altermatt, F. (2024). The shape of density dependence and the relationship between population growth, intraspecific competition and equilibrium population density. Oikos, 2024(2), e09824 (14 pp.). doi:10.1111/oik.09824, Institutional Repository
Brantschen, J., & Altermatt, F. (2024). Contrasting strengths of eDNA and electrofishing compared to historic records for assessing fish community diversity and composition. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 81(2), 178-189. doi:10.1139/cjfas-2023-0053, Institutional Repository
Mayor, S., Allan, E., Altermatt, F., Isbell, F., Schaepman, M. E., Schmid, B., & Niklaus, P. A. (2024). Diversity–functioning relationships across hierarchies of biological organization. Oikos, 2024(1), e10225 (13 PP.). doi:10.1111/oik.10225, Institutional Repository
Saccò, M., Mammola, S., Altermatt, F., Alther, R., Bolpagni, R., Brancelj, A., … Reinecke, R. (2024). Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystem. Global Change Biology, 30(1), e17066 (20 pp.). doi:10.1111/gcb.17066, Institutional Repository
Zong, S., Brantschen, J., Zhang, X., Albouy, C., Valentini, A., Zhang, H., … Pellissier, L. (2024). Combining environmental DNA with remote sensing variables to map fish species distributions along a large river. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 10(2), 220-235. doi:10.1002/rse2.366, Institutional Repository

Group Leader