We are happy to announce that version 7.0 went online. This new version includes several minor changes in the background to ensure user convenience.
The main innovation is the inclusion of trait information according to the work of Henri Tachet and colleagues (Tachet H., Bournaud M., Richoux P. & Usseglio-Polatera P. (2010): Invertébrés d'eau douce - systématique, biologie, écologie. CNRS Editions, Paris, 600 p.), resulting in Europe's most comprehensive trait collection for macro-invertebrates. We are grateful to Henri Tachet for giving permission to make these data available online and to Philippe Usseglio-Polatera for providing the data and the brief explanations for each of the traits!
To facilitate the registration process, we have now added a registration site. Just enter your name, institute and research interests and you will be provided with a login and password within a few days.
Version 6.0 of freshwaterecology.info offers - among others - the following new/additional features:
feature: ecological parameters are now accompanied by this icon. If you click on it you will get background information on the ecological parameter as well as on the classification system and the abbreviations used. Please note that you should allow pop-up windows to use this feature.
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icons. All citations are also included in your export. Details on the citation can be found in the section Terms of use (citation) and in the help under How to find the correct references and citation.
Please note: we are currently reviewing the ecological parameters of fishes and working on the classification of Odonata. These data will be available soon.
We have now published the work on freshwaterecology.info summarsing our efforts of the past ten years in Ecological Indicators:
The following ecological information is now available for phytoplankton: approximate size classes, morpho-functional groups according to Salmaso & Padisak, size class trophic scores and indicator values as well as morpho-functional trophic scores and indicator values. Please see Experts and Terms of use (citation) for the contributing experts and correct citation.
The Atlas is a comprehensive update of the successful predecessor "Atlas of Austrian caddisfly larvae". It follows an innovative concept by supplementing the proven dichotomous key with a completely new synoptic key. The synoptic design arranges similar species within one page, thereby supporting identification by the simultaneous use of several morphological details.
The geographical framework has been greatly expanded by including all caddis thus far (2011) described in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Due to the rich structure of the Central European species inventory and the text layout in both German and English this Atlas will be useful also far beyond the immediate geographical target area defined above.
Introductory chapters comprise information on life cycles, larval morphology, case construction, collecting and preservation. Additional sections deal with biology, ecology, habitats and an extensive index including flight periods and head capsule widths of last instar larvae. A bibliography, new tables on geographical distribution based on ecoregions, saprobic indices, functional feeding types and zonal distribution patterns earmark the new Atlas as an important reference work.
The book can be ordered for 128 Euro at Erik Mauch Verlag.
Version 5.0 of freshwaterecology.info now offers the following new/additional features:
The DAET project is organised by Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber (astrid.schmidt-kloiber@boku.ac.at) and Peter J. Neu (peter.neu@trichoptera-rp.de). It is partly funded by BioFresh. Within this project we want to collect as many (adult) Trichoptera distribution data from Europe as possible. We think that in times of increasing importance of biodiversity, we should also point the way regarding caddisflies and raise the public awareness of this important insect group. If we get a good coverage of Trichoptera data in Europe we will aim for an IUCN list of threatened species.
This enormous undertaking very much relies on the help and willingness to contribute of an extensive number of private working caddisfly experts from all over Europe. We therefore invite all persons out there working on Trichoptera to contribute. For more information, please visit the DAET website.
We are grateful to those who have already submitted their records! THANK YOU!
The following innovations, improvements and changes were implemented into freshwaterecology.info:
Data presented on this website are released as the book series "Distribution and Ecological Preferences of European Freshwater Organisms", edited by A. Schmidt-Kloiber & D. Hering, which provides comprehensive information on distribution and ecological preferences of European freshwater organisms.
Order your personal copy via Pensoft Publishers 
Trichoptera, Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera.