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.
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Planet Diatom is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Our federal tax ID number is 41-2488763.
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 209 genera completed to date.
Species
Identification guides, original descriptions, citations, autecological information and more for 1144 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
13 October 2026
WEBINAR: Didymosphenia geminata ecology in Lake Superior's nearshore environment and its tributaries
Didymosphenia geminata ecology in Lake Superior's nearshore environment and its tributaries Description: In this Diatom Web Academy...
13 October 2026
WEBINAR: ANSP Diatom Herbarium: Using the Symbiota database and preparing samples and slides for deposition
ANSP Diatom Herbarium: Using the Symbiota database and preparing samples and slides for deposition Description: As one of the world's two...
13 October 2026
WEBINAR: Consideration of fixed count and observed/expected approaches in assessment
Consideration of fixed count and observed/expected approaches in assessment Description: Diatom-based indices are widely used for freshwater...
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.
