Water mites are small, fascinating arachnids that play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. They inhabit a variety of habitats, from springs and clear mountain streams to still ponds and lakes. They are adaptive and survival artists and make a decisive contribution to the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Despite their importance, however, they have been little studied to date and many research questions remain unanswered.
This presentation will shed light on the taxonomy of water mites, their role in aquatic ecosystems and their importance as biological indicators. Due to environmental changes, such as the pollution of water bodies and the loss of habitats, it is above all these less mobile, highly specialized species that are endangered and cannot tolerate any additional stress. Gentle approaches to studying these animals are therefore crucial and modern methods such as eDNA (environmental DNA) analyses are essential for researching and monitoring biodiversity in water bodies. With the help of these methods, which will also be presented, researchers can study the biodiversity of vulnerable organisms and the condition of endangered habitats without invasive sampling, opening up new perspectives for their protection.
The lecture program of the Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Basel (NGiB) conveys scientific research in all its disciplines. Find out more about the passions of amateur naturalists and well-known personalities.
The lecture series takes place once a month during the university semester.
This presentation will shed light on the taxonomy of water mites, their role in aquatic ecosystems and their importance as biological indicators. Due to environmental changes, such as the pollution of water bodies and the loss of habitats, it is above all these less mobile, highly specialized species that are endangered and cannot tolerate any additional stress. Gentle approaches to studying these animals are therefore crucial and modern methods such as eDNA (environmental DNA) analyses are essential for researching and monitoring biodiversity in water bodies. With the help of these methods, which will also be presented, researchers can study the biodiversity of vulnerable organisms and the condition of endangered habitats without invasive sampling, opening up new perspectives for their protection.
The lecture program of the Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Basel (NGiB) conveys scientific research in all its disciplines. Find out more about the passions of amateur naturalists and well-known personalities.
The lecture series takes place once a month during the university semester.
This text was translated by an AI.
