Invertebrate diversity in springs of the National Park Berchtesgaden (Germany): relevance for long-term monitoring

Intense studies on the springs of the area, organized by the National Park Berchtesgaden since 1994 in cooperation with numerous specialists, aim to: (1) assess distribution and geomorphology of the springs in the whole area; (2) document biological diversity at the most detailed possible taxonomic scale; and (3) develop and apply methods for the study of potential changes in spring biota in the frame of a network of long-term monitored habitats. Here we analyze some data resulting both from the first decade of research (see Gerecke & Franz 2006 for further details) and from 2005 field work, with the main goal to discuss the potential value of various parameters for long-term investigations.