Desmids and the Environment

(Project Update: Diatoms & Desmids of the U.S.A.)

Desmids are dependent on clear, relatively nutrient-poor waters; and in many parts of the world they are a seriously threatened group of organisms. Most species only occur under a very specific combination of habitat variables. As such they may be considered excellent indicator organisms and are very useful in monitoring aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.

Identifying and measuring all of the nutritional components of an aquatic eco-system is beyond the scope of this project. Instead, desmids will be documented on a “present / not-present” basis; with the eco-system thus being labeled as suitable or not suitable for their existence. The single most important indicator of unsuitability, in addition to the absence of desmids themselves, is the presence of large amounts of filamentous algae which flourish in nutrient-rich waters and rapidly crowd out the relatively “passive” desmid cells.

Posted on April 26, 2013 05:48 PM by william_dembowski