Terrestrial Diatoms and Their Potential for Ecological Monitoring

Abstract

Diatoms have long been utilized as robust ecological indicators for aquatic ecosystems. Ecological data of aquatic diatoms have been well documented. Autecological and biotic indices have extensively used for ecoassessment of water bodies throughout the world. In spite of the fact that diatoms are quite abundant in terrestrial environments and respond quickly to soil environment fluctuations, ecological studies on these entities are substantially lacking as compared to their aquatic counterparts. Of late researchers have investigated certain aspects of soil diatom ecology from some parts of the world. Terrestrial diatoms have been found to be quite responsive to soil environmental conditions, anthropogenic disturbances and agricultural practices. This review attempts to assemble the diverse findings associated with the terrestrial diatoms and their response towards various stressors and explores the future prospects of soil diatom ecology.