Abstract
Rather than a marriage of convenience, which implies a relationship that is non-rigorous and has a substantial degree of independence, we argue that as we move forward through the 21st Century, studies on the taxonomy and ecology of freshwater diatoms will, and by necessity must, be linked. This linkage will be forged by integrated research programs and facilitated by tools that support both taxonomy and ecology. We examine the history of taxonomic and ecological research with freshwater diatoms, and suggest the potential interplay and mutual support offered by these two disciplines. Future research programs, including conservation of freshwater ecosystems, will require a formal commitment of conceptual and practical issues for each of these areas of science.