Using change-point analysis and weighted averaging approaches to explore the relationships between common benthic diatoms and in-stream environmental variables in mid-atlantic highlands streams,USA

Diatoms are increasingly being used in the bioassessment of aquatic systems. However, autecological information for many common taxa is incomplete. We explored the potential of classification (CT) and regression tree (RT) approaches to identify the hierarchical interaction among water quality variables in predicting the relative abundance of ten common stream diatom taxa in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands ecoregion. RT analysis was also used to identify environmental change points corresponding to major shifts in species abundances. We also used traditional weighted-averaging approaches (WA) to model taxon pH and total phosphorus (TP) optima. RT and WA approaches provided different, yet complementary, information on the complex relationships between common stream diatoms and environmental variables. Both RT and CT highlighted the interaction of stream acidity (pH, acid neutralizing capacity (ANC)), and TP in structuring the stream diatom assemblage. For the RT of taxa, where pH was an important predictor, higher pH predicted higher relative abundances. In contrast, higher TP predicted lower relative abundances for some diatom taxa (e.g., Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarnecki), while predicting higher relative abundances for other taxa (e.g., Planothidium lanceolatum (Bréb.) Round & Bukht., Gomphonema parvulum (Kütz.) Kütz.). The environmental change point for pH derived from RT analysis was lower than WA optima for all species. We suggest that RT change point analysis can be used to complement traditional WA optima approaches, especially when diatom taxa’s abundances are affected by interactive environmental factors, to provide more refined information on stream diatom environmental preferences. Handling editor: L. Naselli-Flores     

The Ecology of Testate Amoebae (Protists) in Sphagnum in North-western Poland in Relation to Peatland Ecology

We studied the relationship between testate amoebae (Protozoa) communities and the depth to the water table (DWT), pH, conductivity, and microhabitat type in Sphagnum dominated peatlands of north-western Poland and built predictive (transfer function) models for inferring DWT and pH based on the testate amoebae community structure. Such models can be used for peatland monitoring and paleoecology. A total of 52 testate amoebae taxa were recorded. In a redundancy analysis, DWT and pH explained 20.1% of the variation in the species data and allowed us to identify three groups of taxa: species that are associated with (1) high DWT and low pH, (2) low DWT and low pH, and (3) high pH and mid-range DWT. Our transfer function models allow DWT and pH to be estimated with mean errors of 9.89 cm and 0.71 pH units. The prediction error of the DWT model and the tolerance of the species both increase with increasing dryness. This pattern mirrors the ecology of Sphagnum mosses: Species growing in wet habitats are more sensitive to change in water table depth than the species growing in drier microhabitats. Our results are consistent with studies of testate amoeba ecology in other regions, and they provide additional support for the use of these organisms in paleoecological and biomonitoring contexts.     

Inferring pH from diatoms: a comparison of old and new calibration methods

Two new methods for inferring pH from diatoms are presented. Both are based on the observation that the relationships between diatom taxa and pH are often unimodal. The first method is maximum likelihood calibration based on Gaussian logit response curves of taxa against pH. The second is weighted averaging. In a lake with a particular pH, taxa with an optimum close to the lake pH will be most abundant, so an intuitively reasonable estimate of the lake pH is to take a weighted average of the pH optima of the species present.Optima and tolerances of diatom taxa were estimated from contemporary pH and proportional diatom counts in littoral zone samples from 97 pristine soft water lakes and pools in Western Europe. The optima showed a strong relation with Hustedt's pH preference groups. The two new methods were then compared with existing calibration methods on the basis of differences between inferred and observed pH in a test set of 62 additional samples taken between 1918 and 1983. The methods were ranked in order of performance as follows (between brackets the standard error of inferred pH in pH units); maximum likelihood (0.63) > weighted averaging (0.71) = multiple regression using pH groups (0.71) = the Gasse & Tekaia method (0.71) > Renberg & Hellberg's Index B (0.83) » multiple regression using taxa (2.2). The standard errors are larger than those usually obtained from surface sediment samples. The relatively large standard may be due to seasonal variation and to the effects of other factors such as humus content. The maximum likelihood method is statistically rigorous and can in principle be extended to allow for additional environmental factors. It is computer intensive however. The weighted averaging approach is a good approximation to the maximum likelihood method and is recommended as a practical and robust alternative.     

Quantitative relationships of invertebrates to pH in Norwegian river systems

The invertebrate fauna has been surveyed for twenty one unlimed generally acidic river systems in Norway. The data consist of 180 samples and 127 invertebrate taxa and associated water chemistry data (pH, calcium, acid neutralizing capacity, total aluminium, and conductivity). Multivariate numerical methods are used to quantify the relationships between aquatic invertebrates and water chemistry. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) shows one dominant axis of variation with high correlations for pH and aluminium. DCCA axis 2 is significantly correlated with calcium. The predictive abilities of invertebrates to pH are explored by means of weighted averaging (WA) regression and calibration and weighted averaging partial-least-squares regression (WA-PLS). The performance of the methods is reported in terms of the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of (observed pH-inferred pH). Bootstrapping and leave-one-out jackknifing are used as cross-validation procedures. The predictive abilities of invertebrates are good (RMSEP_boot for WA = 0.309 pH units). Comparison of the invertebrates with diatom studies shows that invertebrates are as good predictors of modern pH as diatoms are. RMSEP_jack shows that WA-PLS improves the predictive abilities. Indicator taxa for pH are found by Gaussian regression. Anisoptera, Agrypnia obsoleta, Leptophlebia marginata, Sialis lutaria, and Zygoptera have significant sigmoidal curves where abundances increase with decreasing pH. Cyrnus flavidus shows a significant unimodal response and has an estimated optimum in the acid part of the gradient. Isoperla spp. and Ostracoda show significant sigmoidal responses where abundances increase with increasing pH. Amphinemura borealis, Diura nanseni, Isoperla grammatica, I. obscura, and Siphonoperla burmeisteri show significant unimodal responses and have high pH optima. Many taxa do not have statistically significant unimodal or sigmoidal curves, but are found by WA to be characteristic of either high pH or low pH. These results suggest that a combined use of Gaussian regression and direct gradient analysis is needed to get a full overview of potential indicator taxa.     

Methods of pH calibration of sedimentary diatom remains for reconstructing history of pH in lakes

The pH history of lakes can be inferred from diatom remains in dated sediment cores. To derive transfer functions for pH inference in acidic lakes, we counted diatoms in surface-sediment from 31 soft-water lakes in n. New England (NE) and 36 in Norway (N), covering pH 4.4–7.1. Cluster analysis of each data set indicates that pH 6 is an upper limit for a group of similar diatom assemblages. For each set, we developed multiple linear regressions to relate three versions of the diatom data to pH of surface-waters: (1) relative frequencies of selected diatom taxa, (2) the first principal component (1 PC) of these frequencies, and (3) the frequencies of Hustedt pH groups. Also, simple linear regressions were developed for two versions: (1) Index B and (2) Index Alpha, both based on pH groups. Regressions were run separately for lakes with pH 6; these are most relevant for pH inference in acidic lakes. The best regressions (N: taxa & 1 PC taxa) have r² 0.69–0.91 and S_e 0.24–0.31 pH units, the worst (NE: log alpha) have r² 0.27–0.57 and S_e 0.51. In all cases, errors for NE are greater than N, partly due to greater diversity of NE lakes. Regressions based on pH groups (directly & by indices) have smaller r² and larger S_e than those based on taxa and 1 taxa. The Index Alpha is least useful because its requirement for alkaline diatom units is unsatisfied at many acidic lakes. Regressions based on taxa may give erratic pH inferences due to sensitivity to unusual frequencies of individual taxa; this effect is reduced by using 1 PC taxa. Four regressions based on pH 6 lakes were used for inferring pH in a ²¹⁰Pb dated core from Nedre Målmesvatn, N (now pH 4.6). There is good agreement among three of the four (not for the regression based directly on taxa) that there has been a decrease of ca. 0.6 pH units starting in the late 1800's.     

Reconstruction of local vegetation in ad 915 at an oligotrophic mire in northern Japan from pollen, present-day vegetation and tephra data

The use of data for present-day vegetation, modern and pretephra pollen have, together, allowed reconstruction of the spatial pattern of the vegetation of an oligotrophic mire, Shimo-kenashi Mire, in ad 915. The modern pollen data were compared with the surrounding vegetation, showing that pollen of Ericaceae, Rosaceae (excluding Sanguisorba), Sphagnum and Liliaceae, together with trees and shrubs, which form scrub or thicket, indicate the limits of the mires. Shimo-kenashi Mire was narrower in ad 915 and had more islands and peninsulas of scrub. Subsequently, the mire margin has advanced and the scrub islands and peninsulas have disappeared at some sites. The fact that the mire is spreading implies that conditions are wetter since ad 915, caused by changes in local hydrology. This history of vegetation at the site will contribute to the conservation and management of the mire as trends in vegetational change provide the basic information for conservation strategy.     

Impact of Urban Pollution from the Hanoi Area on Benthic Diatom Communities Collected from the Red, Nhue and Tolich Rivers (Vietnam)

The effects of urban pollution from Hanoi city on the benthic diatom communities of the Nhue–Tolich river system were studied during the 2003 dry season. Benthic diatoms were allowed to grow on glass slides suspended in the water flow for 4 weeks. To reveal the relationship between water quality and diatom communities, Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used on data concerning relative abundances of diatom species and environmental variables. Two diatom indices, IPS and DAIpo, were applied to evaluate water quality in the three rivers. A total of 291 diatom taxa were found in the Red, Nhue and Tolich Rivers. These were mainly cosmopolitan taxa, with some tropical, subtropical and endemic taxa. The most abundant taxa at the Red site were Aulacoseira granulata, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Encyonema minutum, Navicula recens and other halophilous taxa such as Nitzschia kurzii, Seminavis strigosa, Entomoneis paludosa, Bacillaria paradoxa. Diatom assemblages at the Tolich site consisted mainly of Nitzschia umbonata, Nitzschia palea and Eolimna minima. Diatom density ranged from 660 to 30,000 cells/cm². Environmental variables and diatom assemblage composition at all sites were significantly correlated. Two diatom indices gave similar results and indicate the Tolich River with the lowest values as a highly polluted site.     

Development of diatom-based salinity models for paleoclimatic research from lakes in British Columbia (Canada)

Diatoms were identified and enumerated from the surface sediments of 65 lakes located on the Cariboo and Chilcotin Plateaux (British Columbia, Canada). These lakes span a large gradient in lakewater ionic concentration (fresh through hypersaline) and composition, as well as other physical/chemical variables. Almost all of the study lakes had higher salinities in the late-summer than in the spring. The lakes with spring salinities >8 g l^–1 showed the largest seasonal increases in salinity. Ionic composition was similar in the spring and late-summer for most lakes. Both ionic concentration (i.e. salinity) and composition were important environmental variables that could account for the different diatom floras in the lakes. Diatom assemblages characteristic of carbonate-dominated and sulfate-dominated waters were identified. Other variables such as water depth and phosphorus concentration were also important.The majority (87%) of diatom taxa had estimated salinity optima < 3 g l^–1 Halophilic diatom taxa had broader tolerances to salinity when compared to the fresh water taxa, however taxa with narrow and broad tolerances could be identified across the salinity gradient. Species diversity was weakly but significantly correlated to lakewater salinity (r ² = 0.18 to 0.3, P < 0.05).Salinity inference models were developed based on the relationship between the diatom assemblages and the spring, late-summer and average salinity. The correlations between the measured and diatominferred salinity, based on the spring (r = 0.95), late-summer (r = 0.94) and average (r = 0.95) salinity data, are high because there was an extremely strong correlation (r = 0.98) between the log transformed spring and late-summer measured salinities. These salinity reconstruction models provide a tool that can be used to infer past climatic changes as part of paleolimnological studies from appropriate closed-basin lakes in British Columbia.     

Seasonality of macroalgae and epilithic diatoms in spring-fed streams in Texas, USA

A seasonal study of two spring-fed stream systems in south-central Texas was undertaken over a 15-month period from June 1996 to September 1997. Relative abundance of the epilithic diatom flora, percent cover of macroalgae, and several physical and chemical conditions were monitored in one 20-m stretch in each of the streams at approximately two-month intervals. Six additional spring-fed stream segments were sampled in May 1996 for macroalgae and measured for the same conditions, in order to determine how representative the macroalgal floras of the study sites were of south-central and western Texas. Conditions in the two stream segments were relatively constant over the 15 months, except for maximum depth; this finding is similar those reported for other spring-fed systems worldwide. Sixty-eight diatom taxa and nine macroalgae taxa were identified from the San Marcos River, which compares to 46 diatom taxa and six macroalgae taxa from the Comal River. Several diatom and macroalgae species were significantly correlated to stream conditions (e.g. Dichotomosiphon tuberosus and Hildenbrandia angolensis with daylength, and Amphora pediculus with maximum depth). Twenty-one macroalgal taxa were identified from the six additional spring-fed steam segments. Conditions in these streams were very similar to those measured in the San Marcos River and Comal River, except that they had a higher average pH _x= 8.1 versus _x= 7.6). The epilithic diatom flora of the San Marcos River and the Comal River contains many of the diatom and some macroalgal taxa commonly reported from springs globally. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diatom community response to an acid mine drainage gradient

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a significant environmental issue worldwide. On the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand, many AMD-affected streams occur within close proximity to naturally acidic streams, enabling us to compare the response of communities in naturally and anthropogenic acidified systems. We investigated epiphytic diatom communities in 39 streams along an AMD gradient that included naturally acidic and circum-neutral reference streams. There was a wide range in taxonomic richness in reference streams and those moderately impacted by AMD (8–33 taxa). Taxonomic richness was greatly reduced in severely impacted streams (1–5 taxa) at a threshold of pH 3.4 and was dominated by Pinnularia cf. acidophila (69–100% relative abundance). Community composition differed between circum-neutral reference streams and moderately and severely impacted streams. However, naturally acidic and moderately impacted streams had similar diatom communities primarily composed of Eunotia and Frustulia species. Our results indicate that diatom communities are strongly structured by pH and able to tolerate moderate conductivity and metal concentrations. This is a challenge for researchers and water managers attempting to incorporate diatoms into AMD monitoring in regions with naturally acidic streams.     

dÉcologie des diatomées d'eau douce de la région centrale du Portugal

Tychoplanktonic and epilithic diatom samples were taken monthly during one year at 18 sites in small lowland rivers in the northern central region of Portugal. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to explore the relationships between measured environmental variables and patterns in the diatom assemblages. Conductivity, HCO₃⁻, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were the most significant environmental variables influencing the structure of the tychoplankton and of the epilithon. Other less important variables, such as K⁺, Fe, N(NO₃⁻), and Na⁺ also explained significant (P < 0.05) amounts of variance. The ordination diagrams showed very similar distribution of the tychoplanktonic and epilithic diatom samples. At sites with similar geomorphology as in this study, it is possible to use only one of these samples for water quality evaluation. The optima and tolerances of some diatom taxa were calculated for the most influential variables. Although the diatoms showed high tolerances to some environmental parameters, it was possible to establish groups of taxa with defined and distinctive ecological preferences. Two species groups stood out depending on the alkalinity and mineralization of the water. With a moderate conductivity (> 600 μS·cm⁻¹), alkaline pH, HCO₃⁻ concentrations equal or higher than 150 mg·l⁻¹, the first group includes Achnanthes hungarica Grunow, Amphora pediculus (Kützing) Grunow, Bacillaria paxillifera (O. F. Müller) Hendey, Cymatopleura solea (Brébisson) W. Smith, Navicula accomoda Hustedt, Navicula lanceolata (Agardh) Ehrenberg, Navicula trivialis Lange-Bertalot, Nitzschia hungarica Grunow. In waters of lower conductivity (varying between 72 and 262 μS·cm⁻¹) slightly acid pH (6 to 6.5) and HCO₃⁻¹ lower than 46 mg·l⁻¹ the following species were common: Achnanthes oblongella Östrup, Achnanthes subatomoides (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot, et Archibald, Cymbella gracilis (Ehrenberg) Kützing, Cymbella naviculiformis Auerswald, Diatoma mesodon (Ehrenberg) Kützing, and Eunotia exigua (Brébisson) Rabenhorst. Considering COD, two further groups were distinguished. At high values (> 40 mg·l⁻¹) the following taxa were observed: Achnanthes delicatula (Kützing) Grunow, Navicula capitata Ehrenberg var. hungarica (Grunow) Ross, Nitzschia nana Grunow, Pinnularia interrupta W. Smith, Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle & Heimdal, Thalassiosira weisflogii (Grunow) Fryxell et Hasle. For lower values than 19 mg·l⁻¹, we found Cymbella naviculiformis Auerswald, Diatoma mesodon (Ehrenberg) Kützing, Eunotia exigua (Brébisson) Rabenhorst, Fragilaria arcus (Ehrenberg) Cleve, and Nitzschia epithemioides Grumow var. disputata (Carter) Lange-Bertalot.     

COASTAL DIATOM‐ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BRACKISH BALTIC SEA1

High‐quality calibration data sets are required when diatom assemblages are used for monitoring ecological change or reconstructing palaeo‐environments. The quality of such data sets can be validated, in addition to other criteria, by the percentage of significant unimodal species responses as a measure of the length of an environmental gradient. This study presents diatom‐environment relationships analyzed from a robust data set of diatom communities living on submerged stones along a 2,000 km long coastline in the Baltic Sea area, including 524 samples taken at 135 sites and covering a salinity gradient from 0.4 to 11.4. Altogether, 487 diatom taxa belonging to 102 genera were recorded. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis showed that salinity was the overriding environmental factor regulating diatom community composition, while exposure to wave action and nutrient concentrations were of secondary importance. Modeling the abundances of the 58 most common diatom taxa yielded significant relationships with salinity for 57 taxa. Twenty‐three taxa showing monotonic responses were species with optimum distributions in freshwater or marine waters. Thirty‐four taxa showing unimodal responses were brackish‐water species with maximum distributions at different salinities. Separate analyses for small (cell biovolume <1,000 μm³) and large (≥1,000 μm³) taxa yielded similar results. In previous studies along shorter salinity gradients, large and small epilithic diatom taxa responded differently. From our large data, we conclude that counts of large diatom taxa alone seem sufficient for indicating salinity changes in coastal environments with high precision.     

Diatoms as indicators of isolated herbaceous wetland condition in Florida,USA

Benthic, epiphytic, and phytoplanktonic diatoms, as well as soil and water physical–chemical parameters, were sampled from 70 small (average 0.86 ha) isolated depressional herbaceous wetlands located along a gradient of human disturbance in peninsular Florida to (1) compare diatom assemblage structure between algal types; (2) develop biological indicators of wetland condition; (3) examine synecological relationships between diatom structure and environmental variables, with the ultimate goal of developing an index of biological integrity using a single assemblage. Collected diatom samples were enumerated to 250 valves and identified to species or subspecies. An assessment of wetland condition was made using a landscape-scale human disturbance score (Landscape Development Intensity index, LDI), calculated for each site using land use maps and GIS.Assemblages from both impaired and reference sites were compared using blocked multi-response permutation procedures, the percent similarity index, and visually examined using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). No ecologically significant compositional differences were found within sites. Mantel's test (Mantel's r = 0.29, p < 0.0001) and NMDS (stress: 14.52, variance: 78.5%) identified epiphytic diatoms as the most responsive to human disturbance. Strong significant correlations (|r_s| > 0.50, p < 0.05) were found between epiphytic NMDS site scores and soil pH, specific conductivity, water total phosphorous, and LDI, while soil pH, water color, soil TP, and turbidity were also significantly correlated (p < 0.05).Metrics to assess wetland condition were developed using epiphytic abundance data. Epiphytic taxa sensitive or tolerant to human landscape modification were identified using Indicator Species Analysis, and autecological indices relating diatom sensitivity to nutrients, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, saprobity, salinity, and trophic status were calculated. Fourteen final metrics were identified, scored on an ordinal scale, and combined into the Diatom Index of Wetland Condition (DIWC). The DIWC was highly correlated with the disturbance score (Spearman's r_s = −0.71, p < 0.0001), although the results need to be validated.     

USING EPILITHIC ALGAL COMMUNITIES TO ASSESS TROPHIC STATUS IN IRISH LAKES1

Relationships between taxonomic composition of shallow epilithic algal communities and nine environmental variables in 32 lakes of different trophic states in Ireland were explored using gradient analysis. A canonical correspondence analysis using four representative environmental variables, alkalinity (correlated with pH and conductivity), maximum phytoplankton chl a (CHL_max) (correlated with total P, total N, and chl), turbidity, and water color explained 21% of the variance in taxa distributions. The first two axes were significant and accounted for 77% of the variance in the periphyton–environmental relationship. The first axis was strongly related to alkalinity and color, which reflected geology and land use in the watersheds. The second axis was most correlated with CHL_max, and separation of lakes corresponded to their Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) trophic classification based on water chemistry. Eutrophic lakes were characterized by cyanobacteria taxa and Stigeoclonium sp. Diatoms and desmids were generally more abundant in oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes. Values for diatom trophic indices were poor indicators of trophic state. Weighted averaging regression and calibration techniques were used to develop transfer functions between 84 taxa and total P, total N, and CHL_max. The total P inference model predicted OECD trophic classification correctly for 84% of the lakes. Values for taxa preferences resulting from such models can provide the foundation for biomonitoring schemes using extant periphyton communities. The turnover time of periphyton taxa should integrate changes in environmental conditions at a temporal scale intermediate to surface‐sediment fossil diatom assemblages and water column variables, which may be more appropriate for detecting annual changes.     

Diatoms as water quality indicators in the upper reaches of the Great Fish River,Eastern Cape,South Africa

This study focused on the spring-fed upper reaches of the economically important Great Fish River with the aim of determining if diatoms could be used for biomonitoring in semi-arid conditions in southern Africa. Five sites were monitored monthly from 2010 to 2012. Of the 269 diatom taxa belonging to 51 genera identified, the dominant taxa were mostly those considered to be pollution-tolerant: Amphora pediculus, Craticula buderi, Fragilaria biceps, Nitzschia frustulum, Nitzschia paleacea, Planothidium lanceolatum and Rhopalodia gibba. A number of diatom-based numerical indices were used to infer water quality, including the generic diatom index, the specific pollution sensitivity index, the biological diatom index, and percentage pollution-tolerant valves, which forms part of the UK trophic diatom index. All index scores showed the Great Fish River to be impacted, and showed significant correlations of diatom species abundance with pH, NO₃-N, electrical conductivity, NH4-N and CaCO_3. Analysis revealed EC and NO3-N as the main environmental drivers affecting diatom community composition, followed by pH and PO4-P. The percentage of diatom deformities at all sites was high, at 3.5%. Diatom indices showed the river to be impacted by decades of agricultural activity, which was confirmed by chemical water analysis. Thus diatom indices can be used for biomonitoring in semi-arid areas.     

Correlation of surface sediment diatoms with the present lake water pH in 28 Algoma lakes,Ontario, Canada

The surface sediment diatom analysis of 28 Algoma lakes (pH 4.40–8.13) indicates that even though each lake has a widely different aquatic environment and characteristic diatom assemblage, a definite relationship exists between the lake water pH and their diatom assemblages. In the acidic lakes acidobiontic and acidophilous diatom species predominate whereas in circumneutral and alkaline lakes circumneutral and alkaliphilous diatoms were most common. Cluster analysis of the pH indicator diatom assemblages grouped the study lakes into three distinct cluster groups. These groups also closely corresponded to lake water pH. On the basis of published ecological information as well as their presence in our study lakes, the pH indicator status of a number of diatom taxa have been discussed. A detailed listing of the diatom taxa identified and their pH indicator status is provided in order to facilitate their use in future diatom-inferred pH studies.     

Seasonality and distribution of epilithic diatoms,macroalgae and macrophytes in a spring-fed stream system in Ontario,Canada

A study of the epilithic diatom, macroalgal and macrophyte communities from a spring-fed stream in Ontario, Canada was undertaken from September 1996 to July 1997. The relative abundance of the epilithic diatom flora, percent cover of macroalgal and macrophyte taxa, and several physical and chemical stream conditions were monitored along a 20-m stretch at each of four sites, approximately every 2 months. Several stream conditions were relatively constant over the sampling period (pH, maximum width and maximum depth), while others exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern (water temperature, specific conductance and daylength) and some fluctuated strongly with no discernable seasonal pattern (turbidity, current velocity). A total of 124 taxa were identified from the four sites, including 79 epilithic diatoms, three macroalgal diatom species (large gelatinous masses), one cyanobacterium, two red algae, eight green algae, one chrysophyte alga, one tribophyte alga, three mosses, three horsetails and 23 angiosperm taxa. Species richness was positively correlated to stream channel maximum width and depth, indicating that the total number of species tends to increase in a downstream direction. Distribution of several diatom and macroalgal species was significantly correlated to stream conditions (e.g. Gomphonema parvulum and Phormidium subfuscum with current velocity); however, the vast majority of species did not display seasonal variation in abundance that could be explained by changes in stream conditions. Many of the taxa identified from Blue Springs Creek are common elsewhere in North America.     

How many freshwater diatoms are pH specialists? A response to Pither & Aarssen (2005)

Pither & Aarssen (2005) propose a null model approach to assess the proportion of niche specialist taxa along ecological gradients. They apply this methodology to a large data set of lacustrine diatom assemblages and conclude that a majority of the taxa are generalists on a pH gradient. This conflicts with previous work, which shows that many diatom taxa have a statistically significant relationship with pH. We demonstrate the methods used by Pither & Aarssen (2005) have a high Type II error for rare taxa, and that this problem is compounded by the non-uniform sampling of the pH gradient which effectively precludes acid-lake specialist diatoms from being recognized as such. We re-analyse the data used by Pither & Aarssen (2005) and show that most of the diatoms have a statistically significant relationship with pH, and we thus refute their conclusions that few diatom species are specialists.     

The effect of pH in intensive microalgal cultures. II. Species competition

The results of a series of competition experiments between the chlorophyte Dunaliellatertiolecta (Dun) Butcher and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (TFX-1) Bohlin demonstrate conclusively that Phaeodactylum tricornutum dominates in intensive marine cultures when the pH rises above ≈ 10. This dominance results because of the diatom's unique ability among marine species to tolerate alkaline conditions. When the pH is regulated both freshwater and marine algae, once firmly established in culture at their respective pH optima, can resist invasion from competing species. Hence. pH control may be a method for maintaining species other than P. tricornutum in mass culture. When Dunaliella tertiolecta, however, is grown under even slight pH stress it becomes susceptible to invasion by Phaeodactylum tricornutum. This susceptibility to takeover by P. tricornutum increases with increasing pH. In contrast, the freshwater chlorophyte Chlorella vulgaris Beij., which also is sensitive to increasing pH, is capable of remaining dominant at any pH within its tolerance range when invaded by the pH-insensitive chlorophyte, Scenedesmus obliquus (Turp.) Kutz. Although allelopathic interactions may be responsible for the success of Chlorella vulgaris under seemingly stressful conditions, the success of Phaeodactylum tricornutum at increasingly higher pH seems to be related primarily to the alga's pH tolerance characteristics and not to any chemical interactions with competing species.     

Diversity, ecology and biogeography of the freshwater diatom communities from Ulu Peninsula (James Ross Island, NE Antarctic Peninsula)

The diversity, ecology and biogeography of diatoms in lakes, seepage areas and streams on the Ulu Peninsula, a large ice-free area in the northern part of James Ross Island (Weddell Sea), were studied. A diverse diatom flora of 123 taxa was observed, dominated by several Nitzschia taxa, Psammothidium papilio, Eolimna jamesrossensis, Fragilaria capucina and Fistulifera saprophila. The results from the similarity and diversity analysis suggest James Ross Island to be biogeographically positioned within the Maritime Antarctic region, yet with some affinities with the flora of Continental Antarctica, as shown by the presence of Luticola gaussii and Achnanthes taylorensis. Based on our data, James Ross Island can thus be located close to the boundary of the two main Antarctic biogeographical regions. Diatom communities present in streams and seepage areas could be clearly distinguished from those in lakes, the latter being much more species rich. Based on the multivariate analysis, conductivity and nutrients were selected as the two main environmental factors determining the diatom composition in the Ulu Peninsula lakes. The revised taxonomy of the Antarctic diatom flora induced the construction of a transfer function for water conductivity in the studied lakes that can be applied in further palaeoecological studies.