Studying temporal shifts in the presence of species are pivotal to unravel the causes of the current biodiversity crisis. One approach to generate time series is to repeat historic surveys using the same sampling sites and methodologies. In this research project, we want to compare the current diversity of freeliving flatworms (Platyhelminthes) at the Belgian coast with data from a survey in the late 1980s. The Belgian coast ist under strong anthropogenic influence that includes pollution and sand-suppletion. Despite beeing a species-rich and abundant taxon, not much is known about the ecological importance of freeliving flatworms in the Belgian insterstitial. The intern will collect samples in the field, identify species using light-microscopy and analyse the data using statistical methods.
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