Research

Stream ecology is the science of the interaction between stream organisms and their environment as well as of the interactions in between stream organisms.

Our research is mainly concerned with stream food webs. We analyse the effect of different predators on structure and function of these food webs, the impact of anthropogenic stressors on stream organisms and the importance of environmental factors in changing the interactions between fish and invertebrates. We also analyse the effects of restoration measures, participate in restoration and conservation projects and work on the reduction of eutrophication phenomena in order to improve the ecological water quality.

Open topics

Ongoing theses

Sediment input into the Wiesensee lake

Student: Michaela Girgenrath

Supervisor: Michael Götten, Carola Winkelmann

The Wiesensee lake is an artificial lake, built in 1967 in Westerwald. A basic problem of this lake is an ongoing silt accumulation and an intensive eutrophication. This thesis aims to quantify sediment input and benthic invertebrate composition in the inflowing streams.

Phosphate input into the Wiesensee lake

Student: Jan Gerhards

Supervisor: Michael Götten, Carola Winkelmann

The Wiesensee lake is an artificial lake, built in 1967 in Westerwald. A basic problem of this lake is an ongoing silt accumulation and an intensive eutrophication. To analyse the reason for the eutrophication, this thesis aims to quantify phosphate input from different sources.

Ecological assessment of an urban pond system restoration project

Bearbeiterin: Vivien Krenzler

Betreuer: Michael Götten, Carola Winkelmann

The urban Kranichstein lakes in Darmstadt as well as the connecting stream Ruthsenbach have been restored two years ago. The aim of the restoration was to establish a connectivity of the stream and a transformation of the lakes from an algae-dominated state into a macrophyte-dominated state by sediment removal and fish stocking. This thesis will assess the ecological success of these restoration measures.

Influence of river morphology on populations of grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and variation in escape behaviour

Student: Manuel Müller

Supervisor: Susanne Worischka, Carola Winkelmann

The european grayling has vanished from many German streams. Pollution, habitat degradation and cormorant predation are potential reasons. The aim of this thesis is to quantyfy grayling stock in several streams and to analyse possible controlling factors such as hydromorphological quality.

Finished thesis

Kring, Simon (2024) Ecological assessment of the habitat quality in the river Nister following restoration measures

Paulmann, Maren (2024) Can habitat quality sufficiently explain grayling density?

Greisle, Janna (2024) Impact of the invasive amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus on naive benthic community in the Drava River in Croatia

Plänker, Philip (2023) Can restoration improve the ecosystem function of a stream?

Noll, Lea (2023) Influence of tributary connectivity and gravel placement on macrozoobenthos and its habitat conditions

Hürter, Annika (2023) Spawning sites of Chondrostoma nasus in the river Nister between Helmeroth and Stein-Wingert

Recent Projects

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Finished projects

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