Study of vertical stratification of freshwater epipelic diatoms under seminatural conditions

Abstract

This paper proposes a new modification of the method for studying epipelic diatom communities. The proposed modification is based on the use of multiple tissue layers rather than a single layer, placed on the surface of moist bottom sediment, followed by separate studies of their diatom complexes. The modification was probed with materials from Sterlyazhy Pond (Zvenigorod Biological Station MSU). The outcomes of this method highlight substantial epipelic community stratification based on the relative taxon abundance and the community size structure. Differences in sediment microhorizon preferences were also identified among morphologically similar Sellaphora species.