Taxon Contributors
Contributors produce comprehensive documentation on diatoms, leading to consistent and correct taxonomy.
Collaborate!
Federal, tribal, state and local agencies use Diatoms of North America to monitor water quality and comply with the Clean Water Act
We aim to create a comprehensive diatom flora, accessible to everyone
Over 100 contributing taxonomists, from students-in-training to seasoned professionals, collaborate in producing an ambitious flora
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 161 genera completed to date.
Species
Identification guides, original descriptions, citations, autecological information and more for 957 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
16 May 2019
Plankton and the Self
Phytoplankton display a wondrous number of geometric shapes and natural forms that have an eerily abstract quality. The intricate and symmetrical...
02 April 2019
Forging Effective Use of Diatoms
The National Monitoring Conference drew federal, state, tribal, local, private and non-profit organizations together in Denver, Colorado. There is...
10 March 2019
Summer Field Courses in Iowa
SUMMER FIELD OPPORTUNITIES AT IOWA LAKESIDE LABORATORY Three courses related to algae and diatoms are being offered in Summer 2019 at Iowa...
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.
