The ecological importance of distinguishing between living and dead diatoms in estuarine sediments

Abstract

An analysis of diatoms in estuarine sediment samples has revealed that: (1) the percentage of dead diatoms can be large, (2) ratios of living to dead diatoms vary between sediment habitats, and (3) measurements of “live” species richness and diversity are lower than measurements which include live and dead members of the assemblage. Also, the reliability of the dioxane and dioxane-xylene preparation methods for observing the live component of sediment diatom communities has been demonstrated. We suggest that the understanding of environmental factors which influence or control species distribution and abundance should be improved if the occurrence of living taxa only is considered. © 1981 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.