Alpine springs under pressure? : assessing the environmental drivers of species assemblages

The objective of this thesis is to shed light on the previously under-investigated natural alpine spring ecotones of Central Switzerland. The study focuses on investigating macroinvertebrate assemblages at different altitudinal levels in order to determine if macroinvertebrate assemblages in alpine springs differ along an altitudinal gradient. If there was a certain pattern in the macroinvertebrate assemblages, the study also aims to determine the relevant driving environmental factors and gain a better understanding of how the interaction of these factors influence macroinvertebrate assemblages. As environmental conditions, especially in alpine regions, change rapidly due to global warming, this study’s goal is to contribute new knowledge to detecting possible climate-induced changes of macroinvertebrate assemblages in alpine springs.