Dissertation title: 

The ecological characterisation of terrestrial diatoms

Group: Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management, Wageningen University
Promotors: dr AJ Teuling
Co-promotors: dr L Pfister and dr CE Wetzel

Abstract:

In the past decade, terrestrial diatoms, a group of microscopic algae occurring on soils, have been studied for tracing water sources and pathways across a wide range of spatial scales. Despite encouraging results, the innovative tracer concept has reached its limits due to the lack of ecological knowledge on terrestrial diatoms and restrictions proper to the sampling locations. In order to improve the applicability of diatoms as hydrological tracers, the temporal and spatial dynamics of terrestrial diatoms were investigated and a new, alternative sampling method to sample drift diatom communities was explored.

Extra information:

• Internet broadcast of the promotion at WURTV
• The full text of this dissertation will become available in Wageningen Dissertation Abstracts after the PhD defense.