Master Thesis Opportunity: Rethinking Macrophytes as Indicators of Nutrient Enrichment in Rivers

(Bachelor-Thesis might be possible upon request)

Replication is a cornerstone of science and it allows us to understand variation and gain confidence in patterns observed across different systems. In ecology, indicators are often used to assess the health of ecosystems. For example, dense blooms of blue-green algae in lakes clearly signal nutrient enrichment and degraded water quality.

In rivers, aquatic plants (macrophytes) are commonly used in so-called trophic riverine macrophyte indices to indicate nutrient levels. However, the actual relationship between specific nutrient concentrations and macrophyte composition is often weak. Despite this, these indices remain widely used to assess eutrophication in river systems.

This thesis project aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness of macrophytes as nutrient indicators. By combining a thorough literature review with modern meta-analytical approaches, the goal is to highlight the limitations of current methods and explore whether other indicators such as habitat structure, flow velocity, or hydromorphology may offer a more robust reflection of human pressures on rivers.
We are looking for a motivated Master student with a strong interest in aquatic ecology, statistics, and environmental assessment. Some background in macrophyte ecology, biogeochemistry, or computational methods would be helpful, but most important is a curiosity for how we assess the health of freshwater systems and a willingness to engage with ecological data in depth.

If you are interested in challenging widely used ecological assumptions and contributing to more effective environmental monitoring, I would love to hear from you.

Contact: Dr. Willem Kaijser