Diatoms of North AmericaThe event will bring together diatom researchers from across the Nordic and Baltic regions and beyond. The program will include scientific presentations covering all aspects of diatom research, including biodiversity, bioassessment, community ecology, paleoecology, molecular approaches, and other emerging topics. Participants are warmly encouraged to present their work.
The program will also include a taxonomic workshop by Bart van de Vijver (Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium) focusing on the genera Punctastriata, Pseudostaurosiropsis, Distrionella, Stauroforma and Fragilariforma and a keynote lecture by Maria Kahlert (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) titled Benthic diatoms for freshwater monitoring – metabarcoding and microscope data compared.In addition to the scientific program, participants are welcome to join a boat excursion to Lake Julma-Ölkky in Hossa National Park, a site familiar to many diatomists from Iconographia Diatomologica, Volume 2 — Indicators of Oligotrophy.
Researchers from outside the Nordic and Baltic countries are very welcome to participate. Registration is now open.
Monday 8.6.2026 – Arrival
An organized shuttle service leaves from Oulu airport (via Oulu train station/city center) to the Oulanka Research Station at latest at 16:00. In the evening, there will be a welcome reception with snacks and sauna.
Tuesday 9.6.2026 – Science day 1
The day starts with breakfast and an official welcome and introduction to the Oulanka Research Station. Then, there will be a keynote talk entitled “Benthic diatoms for freshwater monitoring – metabarcoding and microscope data compared” given by Dr. Maria Kahlert (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden). This will be followed by lunch and oral presentations from the participants. In the evening, there will be dinner and sauna.
Wednesday 10.6.2026 – Science day 2
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Julma-Ölkky (Hossa National Park), where we will make a short boat trip and collect some diatom samples from the stony shores. We will have a field lunch before driving back to Oulanka. In the afternoon, there is a demo on sample treating and preparation at the laboratory given by Dr. Satu Maaria Karjalainen (Finnish Environment Institute Syke, Finland), followed by dinner. After that, there will be a poster session and sauna.
Thursday 11.6.2026 – Taxonomic workshop
After breakfast, Professor Bart van de Vijver (Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium) will give a taxonomic workshop on Punctastriata, Pseudostaurosiropsis, Distrionella, Stauroforma and Fragilariforma. There will be a lunch and a coffee break during the workshop. After dinner, we will take a short walk to the Kiutaköngäs waterfalls, where evening snacks and refreshments are served at the fireplace. Of course, sauna will be warm when getting back to the station.
Friday 12.6.2026 – Discussions and farewell
After breakfast, we will discuss various diatom-related topics (e.g. difficult taxa to identify, next meeting…). Then we will pack up, and after lunch, the organized shuttle service will leave for the Oulu airport via Oulu train station. We will be at Oulu airport at 16:00 the latest.
The registration fee is 175 euros, which includes the entire program, transportation from Oulu to Oulanka and back, and snacks and refreshments. The registration fee should be paid to the account of the Suomen Kasviplanktonseura (Finnish Phytoplankton Society). We will send the payment directions by email after the registration deadline is over.
In addition, the accommodation cost is 278 euros per person, which includes a bed in a shared (2-3 persons) room for four nights, linen and towels, breakfast (Tuesday–Friday), lunch (Tuesday–Friday) and dinner (Tuesday–Thursday). The accommodation costs will be paid either by card at the station during the stay, or afterwards with invoice or electronic invoice.
We have applied for funding to reduce the costs of participation. If we get more funding, we will reduce the accommodation costs for everyone by paying a part of the cost.
Contact us with any questions. We look forward to welcoming you to Oulanka!
Organizers
Sanna Atti (University of Helsinki)
Aino Juutinen (Finnish Environment Institute)
Annika Vilmi (Finnish Environment Institute)
In collaboration with
NorBAF (Nordic-Baltic Network for Benthic Algae in Freshwaters)
Suomen Kasviplanktonseura ry / Finnish Phytoplankton Society
Oulanka Research Station (University of Oulu)
