Distribution of Living Terrestrial Diatoms and Its Application to the Paleoenvironmental Analyses

Abstract

The distribution of living terrestrial diatom communities is examined at 9 stations. The communities on soil and mosses are similar to each other. In all 91 taxa are distinguished. These taxa can be divided into two distinct groups based on the tolerance for desiccation. The group A is composed of species with high tolerance for desiccation and it indicates dry habitats. The group B consists of species which accompanied by the group A and recognized in both terrestrial and aquatic conditions. It is very useful to apply these terrestrial diatoms for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.