Taxon Contributors
Contributors produce comprehensive documentation on diatoms, leading to consistent and correct taxonomy.
Registration is open for the Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms course, Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, 18 May – 12 June, 2026
Registration is open for the Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms course, Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, 18 May – 12 June, 2026
Registration is open for the Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms course, Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, 18 May – 12 June, 2026
Registration is open for the Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms course, Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, 18 May – 12 June, 2026
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 1138 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
16 March 2026
OPPORTUNITY: Marine harmful algae taxonomy course
The Provasoli-Guillard National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) is planning to offer the 10th U.S. training course on the...
13 March 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...
12 March 2026
OPPORTUNITY: Nordic-Baltic Diatomists’ Meeting 2026
The event will bring together diatom researchers from across the Nordic and Baltic regions and beyond. The program will include scientific...
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.
