Alpine lakes and ponds are very heterogeneous in their biology and their chemistry.

Geological differences influence the composition of the biotopes lastingly even in small-sized areas.

Intense and frequent variations in climatic conditions (wind, solar radiation, precipitation etc.) add to the strong variation in the environmental conditions of alpine aquatic habitats.

Organisms in alpine lakes and ponds have to adapt to these conditions and must develop appropriate survival strategies.

Alpine lakes and streams are increasingly influenced by humans in different ways. They are often small in size and have a low resilience and hence are very sensitive to the various factors of global change with consequences that reach beyond the alpine environment.