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Abstract

Research on Plecoptera was one main field of the late Joachim Illies' many scientific activities. His contribution has decisively shaped this branch of science. At the same time, work on this insect group offered J. Illies access to various disciplines of the limnology of running waters to which stoneflies are practically restricted. Accurate and detailed ecological and recently also physiological studies are made since, approximately, 1940. They have now become the most popular branch of stonefly studies. In recent years, they have allowed work on Plecoptera to become an integral part of ecosystem studies in running waters. Some of these changes in stonefly research can be observed in Joachim Illies' own work on Plecoptera which started with taxonomic studies, moved on to phyletic ones and led to ecosystem research, largely using emergence traps. The discussion serves as a general example of the development of limnological work from individual specialized lines of research. It is also used to derive some perspectives for continuation and future development of the uncompleted ecosystem studies of the group of scientists who have worked with Joachim Illies at Schlitz.