The importance of benthic diatoms

Benthic diatoms play a vital role in marine coastal ecosystems through their primary production and the stabilisation of sediments. Their specific physiological niches and high growth rates make them sensitive bioindicators of environmental changes. Due to the high biodiversity of benthic diatoms, there is as yet neither a complete species inventory for the Baltic Sea coast nor a comprehensive description of morphological and genetic data for individual species.

Creation of a taxonomic reference database

The aim of the project is to create a taxonomic reference database of benthic diatoms based on spatially and temporally comprehensive sediment samples from the Baltic Sea. To this end, microscopic techniques (light microscopy, SEM), molecular methods (sequencing, eDNA metabarcoding) and AI-based digital image analysis are being combined for the first time, enabling the automated characterisation of complex diatom communities. The resulting database forms the basis for a new monitoring method that, for the first time, uses benthic diatoms as bioindicators of environmental changes in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. The method is unique and transferable to other bodies of water such as the North Sea. The involvement of various environmental authorities strengthens the practical relevance of the project for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

Responsible persons
Dr. Jan Kollár (Applied Ecology and Phycology, University of Rostock)

Prof. Dr. Ulf Karsten (Applied Ecology and Phycology, University of Rostock)

Dr. Konrad Schultz (Applied Ecology and Phycology, University of Rostock)

Applicants
Prof. Ulf Karsten, Dr. Konrad Schultz 
Dr. Jonas Zimmermann (Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem, Freie Universität Berlin)
Prof. Bank Beszteri, Dr. Michael Kloster (Phykologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen)

Funding
DBU - Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt

Funding Period
2026 – 2029

Cooperation partners
Landesamt für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Geologie (LUNG) Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Dr. Clemens Engelke

Staatliches Amt für Landwirtschaft und Umwelt Mittleres Mecklenburg (STALU MM)
Daniel Hörkner

Gewässer-Biomonitoring, Spezialist für Kieselalgen
Dr. Mirko Dreßler