Abstract
In 2009, seventeen analysts participated in a pan-European diatom ring-test (intercalibration), analyzing nine samples from seven countries following the European standard EN 14407. The objective of this exercise was to agree on practical conventions on diatom identification to facilitate future intercalibration work and to assess the extent to which national differences in sample analysis (counting protocol and identification conventions) contribute to variability in EU-level comparisons of diatom-based methods. Differences in the reported taxa lists were large, but not a major source of variation in values of a common metric (the phytobenthos Intercalibration Common Metric, ICM). Therefore, every country can apply its own identification conventions for national assessments, and still be fairly confident that the ICM reflects the national classification of its streams. Part of the index variation was due to differences in counting protocols and care should be taken when handling broken valves, girdle views and small taxa. More work at both national and European level is needed to provide a harmonized way of using diatoms for ecological status assessments in the future.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Aboal, M., M. Alvarez Cobelas, J. Cambra & L. Ector, 2003. Floristic list of non-marine diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) of Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands. Updated taxonomy and bibliography. Diatom Monographs 4: 1–639.
Alles, E., M. Nörpel-Schempp & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1991. Zur Systematik und Ökologie charakteristischer Eunotia-Arten (Bacillariophyceae) in elektrolytarmen Bachoberläufen. Nova Hedwigia 53: 171–213.
Alverson, A. J., K. M. Manoylov & R. J. Stevenson, 2003. Laboratory sources of error for algal community attributes during sample preparation and counting. Journal of Applied Phycology 15: 357–369.
Blanco, S., I. Álvarez & C. Cejudo, 2008. A test on different aspects of diatom processing techniques. Journal of Applied Phycology 20: 445–450.
Buffagni, A. & M. Furse, 2006. Intercalibration and comparison – major results and conclusions from the STAR project. Hydrobiologia 566: 357–364.
CEMAGREF, 1982. Etude des Méthodes Biologiques d’Appréciation Quantitative de la Qualité des Eaux. Ministère de l’Agriculture, CEMAGREF, Division Qualité des Eaux, Pêche et Pisciculture, Lyon: 218 pp.
Coste, M. & L. Ector, 2000. Diatomées invasives exotiques ou rares en France: principales observations effectuées au cours des dernières décennies. Systematics and Geography of Plants 70: 373–400.
Ector, L., 2011. 1st European Workshop on Diatom Taxonomy (1st EWDT). Algological Studies 136–137: 1–4.
Engelberg, K., 1987. Die Diatomeen-Zönose in einem Mittelgebirgsbach und die Abgrenzung jahreszeitlicher Aspekte mit Hilfe der Dominanz-Identität. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 110: 217–236.
European Committee for Standardization, 2003. European Standard. EN 13946. Water Quality – Guidance Standard for the Routine Sampling and Pretreatment of Benthic Diatoms from Rivers. CEN, Brussels: 14 pp.
European Committee for Standardization, 2004. European Standard. EN 14407. Water Quality – Guidance Standard for the Identification, Enumeration and Interpretation of Benthic Diatom Samples from Running Waters. CEN, Brussels: 12 pp.
Haase, P., J. Murray-Bligh, S. Lohse, S. Pauls, A. Sundermann, R. Gunn & R. Clarke, 2006. Assessing the impact of errors in sorting and identifying macroinvertebrate samples. Hydrobiologia 566: 505–521.
Hartley, B., H. G. Barber & J. R. Carter, 1996. An Atlas of British Diatoms. Biopress, Bristol.
Hustedt, F., 1927–1966. Die Kieselalgen Deutschlands, Österreichs und der Schweiz mit Berücksichtigung der übrigen Länder Europas sowie der angrenzenden Meeresgebiete. In Dr L. Rabenhorst’s Kryptogamenflora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, Vol. 7. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Leipzig.
Jahn, R., W.-H. Kusber & O. E. Romero, 2009. Cocconeis pediculus Ehrenberg and C. placentula Ehrenberg var. placentula (Bacillariophyta): typification and taxonomy. Fottea 9: 275–288.
Kahlert, M., R.-L. Albert, E.-L. Antilla, R. Bengtsson, C. Bigler, T. Eskola, V. Gälman, S. Gottschalk, E. Herlitz, A. Jarlman, J. Kasperoviciene, M. Kokociński, H. Luup, J. Miettinen, I. Paunksnyte, K. Piirsoo, I. Quintana, J. Raunio, B. Sandell, H. Simola, I. Sundberg, S. Vilbaste & J. Weckström, 2009. Harmonization is more important than experience – results of the first Nordic-Baltic diatom intercalibration exercise 2007 (stream monitoring). Journal of Applied Phycology 21: 471–482.
Kelly, M. G., 2001. Use of similarity measures for quality control of benthic diatom samples. Water Research 35: 2784–2788.
Kelly, M., C. Bennett, M. Coste, F. Delmas, L. Denys, L. Ector, C. Fauville, M. Ferreol, M. Golub, A. Jarlman, M. Kahlert, J. Lucey, B. Ni Chathain, I. Pardo, P. Pfister, J. Picinska-Faltynowicz, C. Schranz, J. Schaumburg, J. Tison, H. van Dam & S. Vilbaste 2007. Central/Baltic GIG Phytobenthos Intercalibration Exercise. Final report. CB GIG Phytobenthos IC Report – Technical report: 67 pp.
Kelly, M., C. Bennett, M. Coste, C. Delgado, F. Delmas, L. Denys, L. Ector, C. Fauville, M. Ferréol, M. Golub, A. Jarlman, M. Kahlert, J. Lucey, B. Ní Chatháin, I. Pardo, P. Pfister, J. Picinska-Faltynowicz, J. Rosebery, C. Schranz, J. Schaumburg, H. van Dam & S. Vilbaste, 2009. A comparison of national approaches to setting ecological status boundaries in phytobenthos assessment for the European Water Framework Directive: results of an intercalibration exercise. Hydrobiologia 621: 169–182.
Krammer, K., 1997a. Die cymbelloiden Diatomeen. Eine Monographie der weltweit bekannten Taxa. Teil 1. Allgemeines und Encyonema Part. Bibliotheca Diatomologica 36: 1–382.
Krammer, K., 1997b. Die cymbelloiden Diatomeen. Eine Monographie der weltweit bekannten Taxa. Teil 2. Encyonema Part., Encyonopsis und Cymbellopsis. Bibliotheca Diatomologica 37: 1–469.
Krammer, K., 2000. The genus Pinnularia. In Lange-Bertalot, H. (ed.), Diatoms of Europe. Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats, Vol. 1. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell: 703 pp.
Krammer, K., 2002. Cymbella. In Lange-Bertalot, H. (ed.), Diatoms of Europe. Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats, Vol. 3. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell: 584 pp.
Krammer, K., 2003. Cymbopleura, Delicata, Navicymbula, Gomphocymbellopsis, Afrocymbella. In Lange-Bertalot, H. (ed.), Diatoms of Europe. Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats, Vol. 4. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell: 530 pp.
Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1986. Bacillariophyceae 1. Teil: Naviculaceae. In Ettl, H., J. Gerloff, H. Heynig & D. Mollenhauer (eds), Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart: 876 pp.
Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2004a. Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa 2/3: Bacillariophyceae. 3. Teil: Centrales, Fragilariaceae, Eunotiaceae. Elsevier GmbH, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg: 599 pp.
Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2004b. Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa 2/4: Bacillariophyceae. 4. Teil: Achnanthaceae. Kritische Ergänzungen zu Achnanthes s.l., Navicula s. str., Gomphonema. Gesamtliteraturverzeichnis Teil 1–4. Ergänzter Nachdruck. Elsevier GmbH, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg: 468 pp.
Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2007. Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa 2/2: Bacillariophyceae. 2. Teil: Bacillariaceae, Epithemiaceae, Surirellaceae. Ergänzter Nachdruck der 1. Auflage. Elsevier GmbH, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg: 611 pp.
Lange-Bertalot, H., 2001. Navicula sensu stricto. 10 genera separated from Navicula sensu lato. Frustulia. In Lange-Bertalot, H. (ed.), Diatoms of Europe. Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats, Vol. 2. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell: 526 pp.
Lange-Bertalot, H. & D. Metzeltin, 1996. Oligotrophie-Indikatoren. 800 Taxa repräsentativ für drei diverse Seen-Typen, kalkreich – oligodystroph – schwach gepuffertes Weichwasser. Iconographia Diatomologica 2: 1–390.
Lavoie, I., K. M. Somers, A. M. Paterson & P. J. Dillon, 2005. Assessing scales of variability in benthic diatom community structure. Journal of Applied Phycology 17: 509–513.
Lecointe, C., M. Coste & J. Prygiel, 1993. “OMNIDIA” software for taxonomy, calculation of diatom indices and inventories management. Hydrobiologia 269/270: 509–513.
Levkov, Z., 2009. Amphora sensu lato. In Lange-Bertalot, H. (ed.), Diatoms of Europe. Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats, Vol. 5. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell: 916 pp.
McCune, B. & M. J. Mefford, 2006. PC-ORD. Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data. Version 5.32. MjM Software, Gleneden Beach, OR, USA.
Monnier, O., F. Rimet, M. Bey, R. Chavaux & L. Ector, 2007. Sur l’identité de Cocconeis euglypta Ehrenberg 1854 et C. lineata Ehrenberg 1843 – Une approche par les sources historiques. Diatomania 11: 30–45.
Morales, E. A., 2002. Sixth NAWQA Taxonomy Workshop on Harmonization of Algal Taxonomy October 2001. Report No. 02-10. The Patrick Center for Environmental Research, The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia: 37 pp.
Morales, E. A., 2004. Twelfth NAWQA Workshop on Harmonization of Algal Taxonomy February 26–29, 2004. Report No. 06-03. Patrick Center for Environmental Research, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia: 193 pp.
Prygiel, J. & M. Coste, 2000. Guide méthodologique pour la mise en oeuvre de l’Indice Biologique Diatomées NF T 90-354. Agence de l’Eau Artois-Picardie – CEMAGREF, Groupement de Bordeaux: 134 pp.
Prygiel, J., P. Carpentier, S. Almeida, M. Coste, J.-C. Druart, L. Ector, D. Guillard, M.-A. Honoré, R. Iserentant, P. Ledeganck, C. Lalanne-Cassou, C. Lesniak, I. Mercier, P. Moncaut, M. Nazart, N. Nouchet, F. Peres, V. Peeters, F. Rimet, A. Rumeau, S. Sabater, F. Straub, M. Torrisi, L. Tudesque, B. Van de Vijver, H. Vidal, J. Vizinet & N. Zydek, 2002. Determination of the biological diatom index (IBD NF T 90-354): results of an intercomparison exercise. Journal of Applied Phycology 14: 27–39.
Reichardt, E., 1997. Taxonomische Revision des Artenkomplexes um Gomphonema pumilum (Bacillariophyceae). Nova Hedwigia 1–4: 99–129.
Rott, E., E. Pipp, P. Pfister, H. van Dam, K. Ortler, N. Binder & K. Pall, 1999. Indikationslisten für Aufwuchsalgen in österreichischen Fließgewässern. Teil 2: Trophieindikation (sowie geochemische Präferenzen, taxonomische und toxikologische Anmerkungen). Wasserwirtschaftskataster herausgegeben vom Bundesministerium f. Land- u. Forstwirtschaft, Wien: 248 pp.
StatSoft, Inc., 2011. STATISTICA (data analysis software system), version 10. www.statsoft.com. Accessed 31 Mar 2011
Stevenson, R. J., Y. Pan & H. van Dam, 2010. Assessing environmental conditions in rivers and streams with diatoms. In Smol, J. P. & E. F. Stoermer (eds), The Diatoms: Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 57–85.
The Commission of the European Communities, 2008. Commission decision of 30 October 2008 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise. Official Journal of the European Communities L332: 20–44.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, 2000. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 20000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Communities L327: 1–72.
Van de Vijver, B., M. Kelly, S. Blanco, A. Jarlman & L. Ector, 2008. The unmasking of a sub-Antarctic endemic: Psammothidium abundans (Manguin) Bukhtiyarova et Round in European rivers. Diatom Research 23: 233–242.
Verdonschot, P. F. M., 2006. Evaluation of the use of Water Framework Directive typology descriptors, reference sites and spatial scale in macroinvertebrate stream typology. Hydrobiologia 566: 39–58.
Acknowledgments
We thank the national authorities that funded part of this study: Catalan Water Agency, Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR Luxembourg), Portuguese Water Institute, Scottish and Northern Irish Forum for Environmental Research, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. We also thank Bart Van de Vijver for constructive discussions and R. Jan Stevenson and two anonymous referees for constructive criticism on the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Guest editors: L. Ector, D. Hlúbiková & L. Hoffmann/Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium “Use of Algae for Monitoring Rivers”, Luxembourg, November 23–25, 2009
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kahlert, M., Kelly, M., Albert, RL. et al. Identification versus counting protocols as sources of uncertainty in diatom-based ecological status assessments. Hydrobiologia 695, 109–124 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1115-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1115-z
Keywords
- Algae
- Monitoring
- Phytobenthos
- Rivers
- Intercalibration
- Water Framework Directive