Material and Methods
Sampling design
This field study was conducted at five alpine streams in the Central
Eastern Alps in the summer of 2022 (sampling in July, August, and
September). The study design included sites at similar elevations (2127
m – 2363 m a.s.l.), with comparable topography and similar distance
from the water source, but in catchments with differing glacier areas
(Fig. 1) and different stages of glacier retreat.