Taxon Contributors
Contributors produce comprehensive documentation on diatoms, leading to consistent and correct taxonomy.
Long, skinny species go sideways...
on the revised COMPARE feature...
of diatoms.org...
with support of the Society for Freshwater Science, Innovation Fund
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 208 genera completed to date.
Species
Identification guides, original descriptions, citations, autecological information and more for 1140 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
10 April 2026
Diatom Web Academy 2026
Diatom Web Academy Spring Schedule 2026 We offer a series of live, online seminars. Join us and be part of the discussion! If you are not able to...
09 April 2026
ANNOUNCEMENT: Long, skinny species go sideways
Society for Freshwater Science, Innovation Fund provided support for a novel revision of the diatoms.org COMPARE feature. The...
07 April 2026
WEBINAR: Planet Diatom: an organization to train, transform, and transcend
Planet Diatom: an organization to train, transform, and transcend Description: Diatoms play essential roles in aquatic ecosystems; they produce an...
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.
