Hello!
I am studying the development of rasied bogs in the northwest of the
UK reconstructing vegetation communities (via the analysis of
macrofossils) and water tables (via the analysis of testate amoebae)
over the past 3 000 years. In the process of this work I regularily
encounter filamentous algae of the genera Spirogyra, Rivularia,
Gleotricha, Aphanizomenon and Anaeba. These genera have also been
identified by a colleague in Amsterdam whose preparation techniques
appear to destroy the filaments leaving only the reproductive sheaths
which I have encountered also. However there are more species than I
can identify from his recourse to his reference collection alone. Is
there a comprehensive flora to freshwater, terrestial algae available
as a dilligent search of the university libraries at Glasgow,
Southampton and Aberdeen has not revealed such? In addition, could
someone also point me in the direction of any ecological studies on
these genera that might assist me in reconstructing the possible
nutrient status of the mire when these species occur?
My thanks in advance,
Andy
