8. Spring Week 2015: Short documentation Interstitial

The interstitial represents its own, largely unknown and little researched habitat. Interstitial is the cavity system of the loose rock and sediment close to or under the surface water of a flowing water. It thus represents an ecological transition and exchange zone between surface water and its groundwater, with specific environmental conditions for the organisms. Initial investigations showed some of the own fauna of specialists. For spring and stream dwellers, it is a retreat in uncertain times. Excavations in the interstitial of streams are difficult to accomplish due to the coarse stones in the brooks of the gutter by means of spades, which is why for a large part of the test sites there was a need for mechanical use. Using JCB, a slot trench was excavated either directly in the creek bed or just next to it with a small excavator bucket. There, sediment was extracted and sifted or water was exhausted and also sifted. The resulting hole was refilled after the end of the investigations. The journey was as gentle as possible and only where a short driveway was given. Possible test sites have been visited and selected beforehand.间隙生境（interstitial）是一类鲜为人知且研究程度极低的独立生境。其指紧邻或位于流水地表水下方的松散岩石与沉积物构成的空腔系统，是地表水与地下水之间的生态过渡与交换带，为栖息其中的生物提供了专属的环境条件。初步调查显示，该生境中存在部分特化物种的特有动物区系。对于溪流与泉水栖息生物而言，它是危难时刻的庇护所。 由于沟谷溪流内多砾石，依靠手工铁锹难以开展溪流间隙生境的挖掘作业，因此多数试验样地需采用机械施工。本次研究使用JCB工程机械，通过小型挖斗直接在河床内或河床旁开挖槽沟，随后提取沉积物并过筛，或是抽干积水后再进行过筛。调查结束后，需对挖掘出的坑洞进行回填。作业全程尽可能降低对环境的干扰，且仅在具备短距离通行条件的区域开展。潜在试验样地均提前完成踏勘与筛选。