What is it about?
The cumulative relative abundance of four core species of diatoms in the Florida Everglades is maintained at high level by low concentrations of phosphorus in the water. We have shown that Encyonema evergladianum, Mastogloia calcarea, Fragilaria synegrotesca and Brachysira microcephala make up, on average, >80% of the total number of diatom cells sampled between 2004 and 2015 in less impacted areas of this subtropical wetland (i.e. Everglades National Park).
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Photo by Tyler Butler on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Maintaining the high abundance of core diatom species that we observed in the Southern Everglades marshes is a critical component of the restoration puzzle in this unique wetland. These core species form cohesive benthic mats that are adapted to low phosphorus concentrations and provide food, nutrient cycling, erosion control and other key ecosystem functions.
Perspectives
The supply of clean drinking water to millions of South Floiridians relies on the maintenance of these healthy benthic mats and the various (small and large) organisms that live in and around them.
Dr. Luca Marazzi
Earthwatch Europe
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Long-term changes in spatially structured benthic diatom assemblages in a major subtropical wetland under restoration, Inland Waters, October 2018, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/20442041.2018.1500206.
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