The main purpose of this study is to obtain actual ecological data concerning spring fen mollusc communities. Detailed knowledge of molluscs-vegetation-environment relationships gained by modern methods of malacology, fen ecology and vegetation science will be useful not only for scientific purposes, but also for nature conservation. Diversity of mollusc communities will be studied across various spatial and temporal scales. The presented project is focused on the following principal fields of interest: (a) analysis of geographical differences caused by different migration history, (b) palaeoecological studies of post-glacial development, which elucidate these differences, (c) analysis of changes in species richness and composition along environmental gradients in particular regions differing in postglacial history and in species pool, (d) study of relationships between total habitat size in fragmented landscape and its species richness, (e) within site species-area relationships.

Publications