Taxon Contributors
Contributors produce comprehensive documentation on diatoms, leading to consistent and correct taxonomy.
What do you see when you look in the microscope?
Ask questions.
Make new friends.
Read books.
Become a taxon contributor Learn more
Diatoms of North America is a collaborative work in progress, growing and changing as science advances.
Taxa by Morphology
New to diatoms? Jump into diatom identification using the visual key.
Editorial Review Board
Using diatoms in assessment? Specify the use of Diatoms of North America in contracts and task agreements.
What are Diatoms?
Diatoms are single-celled algae that live nearly everywhere there is water - streams, ponds, lakes, oceans, and even soils.
For practitioners
Taxon
Identification Guide
Genera
Classification information, citations, links and species listings for 204 genera completed to date.
Species
Identification guides, original descriptions, citations, autecological information and more for 1123 species and growing.
We encourage new contributors to submit taxon pages.
This project depends on many people to document the diverse diatom flora of streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes, springs, soils, estuaries and coastal zones.
Recent News & Projects
10 July 2025
OPPORTUNITY: Canada Research Chair in Paleolimnology and Environmental Change
Queen's University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. Ne Queen’s University e’tho nońwe nikanónhsote tsi nońwe...
09 July 2025
Diatom Web Academy 2025
Join Diatom Web Academy 2025! We offer a series of live, online seminars. Join us and be part of the discussion! If you are not able to attend the...
08 July 2025
WEBINAR: Informational webinar on ISDR grant awards
Informational webinar on ISDR Grant AwardsDescription: In 2023, the ISDR initiated a trial grant scheme for Early Career Researchers (ECR) who are...
Diatoms of North America has been developed in part with the generous funding and support of US EPA, USGS, the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at University of Colorado Boulder and other organizations.
