Global observatory network for freshwater biodiversity in high mountain streams

The GLOBIOS Project aims at (1) characterizing genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity of aquatic invertebrates in high mountain streams in the Andes (Peru), Talamanca (Costa Rica), the Pyrenees (Spain) and the Alps (Austria), (2) identifying potentially vulnerable species, (3) predicting changes in distribution patterns of vulnerable species to climate change, and (4) identifying current and future priority areas to be protected to halt genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity loss. The target freshwater organisms will be Chironomidae (Diptera) and Trichoptera, considered to be highly sensitive to temperature and flow regime patterns, and very abundant and diverse in high mountain streams.