Invertebrate communities in permanent and temporary high mountain lakes (Tatra Mts)

Water chemistry and macroinvertebrates of four high mountain lakes (alt. 16 57-1784 m) were investigated. The lakes are ultraoligotrophic with naturall y slightly acidic water. In three lakes these water level changed substanti ally during the year while in one it remained constant. Moreover, trophic s tatus was higher in one than in the other three. Oligochaeta and Chironomid ae dominated the invertebrate fauna of all lakes. Benthic faunal compositio n depended mainly on ecological factors such as substrate, trophic status, and hydroperiod. It appears that anthropogenic acidification has so far not affected faunal composition.