Diatom Research Projects
Dr Ingrid Jüttner, Research Curator Diatoms,
Department of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology
Monitoring recovery of streams from acidification in the Wye catchment
The project Wye Powys Habitat Improvement ScHeme (Wye pHISH) in Mid Wales aims to reverse acidification of streams in the upper Wye and Irfon catchments through liming, to improve ecological quality and facilitate the return of salmonid fish. Biological communities and water chemistry have been negatively affected by acid rain in catchments with conifer forests, and acid sensitive species have been replaced by fewer acid tolerant ones. Scarcity of food and toxic affects have also made acidified streams unsuitable as spawning and nursery areas for fish. Since 2003 a joint science programme led by the Wye & Usk Foundation investigates the effects of liming on biological communities including fish, diatoms, invertebrates and chemical conditions. Diatoms are used as indicators to show changes in water acidity.
Collaborators: The Wye & Usk Foundation; Cardiff University, School of Biosciences; Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor.
Diatom Flora of Britain and Ireland
The freshwaters and seas of Britain and Ireland have a rich diatom flora. This has been explored by professional and amateur researchers for more than 200 years. Today, reliable identification requires a good knowledge of a vast and scattered literature. We will clarify outstanding problems of taxonomy and nomenclature, and bring together scattered resources in one place. The project aims to make all results, held in a newly designed database, freely available online, as well as publishing them in scientific journals. Initially we focus on species which are important in assessment of water quality, and on rarely reported species which live in habitats of conservation interest.
Collaborators: The Natural History Museum, London; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; Bowburn Consultancy; University College London
Taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of diatoms from subaerial habitats
The project studies diatom diversity and biogeography in subaerial habitats (damp rock faces, soil and mosses) of nordic and alpine geographical areas. It is likely that, due to climate change, these habitats will alter substantially and this will have major consequences for their biological communities and species distribution.
Diatom biodiversity of Nepal
Ecological and taxonomic studies of diatoms in Nepal have been conducted since 1993 and include investigations on streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, springs and subaerial habitats from the tropical lowlands to the high Himalaya. A large scale investigation of stream diatoms extended over a 900 km east-west range and over an altitude gradient of more than 4000 m in the Himalaya of Nepal and north-west India. So far 15 new diatom species and one new genus were described and diatom assemblage change related to major environmental gradients. Current work includes taxonomic and ecological studies on cymbelloid and monoraphid diatoms and on the diatom flora of the Gokyo Valley, Everest National Park, the Annapurna Conservation Area and the Langtang National Park.
Collaborators: Kathmandu University, Aquatic Ecology Centre, Dhulikhel, Nepal; The Natural History Museum, London; National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise; St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia; Cardiff University, School of Biosciences.
