Ecology and Aquatic Systems Engineering - EISA

MENU Ecology and Aquatic Systems Engineering - EISA

Areas of expertise

The skills areas developed within the group and illustrated in the various research projects cover themes such as the monitoring and diagnostics of aquatic ecosystems (ponds, lakes, watercourses), the biology and ecology applied to their conservation, the sustainable management of these ecosystems and their ecological restoration.

Skills areas and examples of applications:

Methods of diagnostics and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems
  • Method of calcein marking applied to trout for monitoring dispersion
  • Standardised evaluation method for the survival of salmonids from fertilisation to emergence in the river
  • Standardised methods for the evaluation and monitoring of biodiversity in watercourses (marshes, ponds, small lakes, reservoirs)
  • Hydraulic physical models for analysis of the reduction of the risk of floods
  • Method of hydro-acoustic monitoring of reservoirs of the Geneva Rhône
Monitoring of aquatic ecosystems
  • Telemetry monitoring: marking of fish by active transmitters and passive means in rivers and lakes (radio, acoustic, PIT-tag, ARGOS tags), fish displacement/migration, determination of living areas, estimation of biomass of hydroelectric reservoirs by echo sounding
  • Long-term monitoring of biodiversity of the watercourses of the Swiss National Park (Macun cirque)
Development of diagnostic tools
  • Electronic keys and smartphone applications for identifying aquatic species (invertebrates, dragonflies, fish, etc.). Specialised keys (for professionals) and keys intended for the general public.
Management measures favouring ecological restoration
  • Hydroelectricity and sedimentary management: evaluation of impact and improvement of practices
  • Evaluation of the diversity of agricultural and fish-farming ponds and setting up and promoting best management practices
  • Promotion of management, at the scale of the landscape, of networks of small watercourses, favouring their ecosystemic services
Conservation programmes for the threatened habitats ans species
  • Monitoring of the effects of the protection of sites for amphibian reproduction of national importance in Switzerland: evaluation of the quality of the invertebrate population
  • Development of a guide to management and conservation for the restoration of grayling populations in Switzerland
Evaluation of the impact of climate change and development of adaptation and compensation measures
  • Diagnostic, creation or restoration of aquatic environments at altitude, as well as watercourse continuums
  • Programme to fight the warming of watercourses through the plantation of trees
Evaluation of the impact of uses and conservation initiatives
  • Ecological continuity and fragmentation of the habitat: Efficiency in crossing structures (dams, weirs, etc.)
  • «Hydrology – habitat – fish» relationships – Environmental flows
  • Confine non-indigenous aquatic plant species to the urban environment and limit their dispersion: from mapping to aid with decision-making
Transfer of knowledge
  • Basic and vocational training, improvement intended for professionals
  • Network organisation
  • Scientific committees
  • Scientific and general-public conferences