Research Areas
Water, Data, Territory and Society
Water, Data, Territory and Society
Freshwater ecology - IST
Freshwater ecology
Research, consultancy, and education on the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems.
The Freshwater ecology group focuses on the study of lakes and rivers, addressing the challenges posed by human impact on these valuable ecosystems. Our approach combines traditional and innovative research methods to analyse the quality of surface waters and the organisms inhabiting them, such as plankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish.
Our research spans various regions and environments, from the equatorial belt to the Arctic, including the alpine zone. The group is also engaged locally through educational activities and consultancy services, contributing to the protection and preservation of these delicate ecosystems.
Our research spans various regions and environments, from the equatorial belt to the Arctic, including the alpine zone. The group is also engaged locally through educational activities and consultancy services, contributing to the protection and preservation of these delicate ecosystems.
The responsible use and conservation of water resources, increasingly challenged by anthropic impact and climate change, are primary objectives for human communities. The Freshwater ecology group investigates the impact of major factors altering freshwater ecosystems (e.g., emerging pollutants, climate change, and biological invasions) and the ecology of aquatic organisms. This is achieved through monitoring and research programmes employing innovative technologies (e.g., molecular techniques and sensors for high-frequency real-time data collection). One of the main activities in this field is the research programme on the evolution of Lake Lugano and its tributaries, promoted by the International Commission for the Protection of Italian-Swiss Waters (CIPAIS).
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Eutrophication and climate change contribute to the emergence of potentially toxic cyanobacterial blooms. The Freshwater ecology group studies these phenomena in various lake and river environments, analysing the spatial and temporal variations of cyanobacteria and the cyanotoxins they produce, as well as the factors that promote their growth. The knowledge acquired is essential for developing early warning systems and improving the management of ecological and health risks associated with these events.
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The presence of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems is an increasingly urgent issue. However, many questions remain regarding the distribution and toxicity of these pollutants in ecosystems. The Freshwater ecology group is engaged in studying these emerging contaminants to provide an in-depth understanding of the presence and fate of microplastics in lakes and rivers. Particular attention is given to examining the interactions between microplastics and biological communities, as well as the potential consequences for freshwater ecosystems.
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Freshwater fish are under increasing pressure due to habitat alterations and climate change. The Freshwater ecology group investigates the biology, movements, life-history and gene flow of fish populations in lakes and rivers, their adaptations to natural and anthropized environments, and their interactions with ecological communities. Research is conducted using cutting-edge methods such as telemetry (radio, acoustic, and PIT), genetic and genomic analyses (SNP markers), and stable isotopes, as well as traditional techniques like morphometrics and dietary analysis.
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Instruments for collecting water samples (e.g., Niskin bottles and integrating samplers) and biological specimens (e.g., fine-mesh nets for plankton and benthos collection) from lakes and rivers.
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Stereoscopes and compound microscopes equipped with cameras for high-resolution image capture and fluorescence modules.
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Multiparameter probes resistant to high depths, portable sensors, and sensor chains for measuring key chemical-physical parameters and algal pigments.
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Benchtop instruments for processing chemical and biological samples, molecular analyses, immunoenzymatic tests, and fluorimetry.
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Institute of Earth Sciences
Freshwater ecology sector
Campus SUPSI Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio