The ecology of a diatom community in a thermal stream

Abstract

From 1964 to 1967 the annual variations in the relative abundance of diatoms in a thermal stream draining a hot spring were examined for changes in species diversity (H) and redundancy (R). Despite large seasonal changes in abundance and shifts in the species composition, the values in general did not deviate significantly from the calculated mean diversity value. This relative constancy of H was interpreted as an indication of diatom community stability. The species exhibited a characteristic pattern of seasonal abundance that is thought be to partially attributable to a light adaptation phenomenon. Three cores were obtained from the soft sediment of the spring and were analysed for diatom remains. The cores were dated by a pumice layer of known age and interpretations relative to the ontogeny of the diatom community added a significant time dimension to the yearly diatom analysis.