Freshwater benthic diatoms from the south-western part of the Hornsund fiord area, SW Spitsbergen

Abstract

The epipelic diatoms from various water bodies from the south-western part of the Hornsund fiord area are presented. Altogether, 157 taxa (127 species together with their variants and forms) have been identified. The flora consists almost entirely of diatoms from the order Pennales which is represented predominantly Biraphidineae, chiefly by the genera Navicula, Pinnularia and Cymbella. Also some information about the ecology and phytogeography of the diatom flora analysed is given. Most of the species are typical indifferent or alkaliphilous freshwater forms with low trophic requirements. Nearly 55% of the diatoms examined are arctic-alpine or nordic-alpine species.