Desmid atlas

 Sample pages

Desmids are microscopic algae that, due to their beautiful geometric shapes and bright green colour, are an interesting subject to study under the microscope. Desmids are found exclusively in freshwater, particularly in fens and ponds that are not overly nutrient-rich. Because of their preference for high-quality water, they are also suitable as indicators of water quality.

Between 2007 and 2021, desmids were sampled from fens, ponds, and other waters across the province of Drenthe. This led to the discovery of more than 500 species, some of which have been described as new to science.
This atlas documents the results of the research. It discusses the locations, ecology, and dimensions of the species found. Additionally, distribution maps and graphs with the measured pH and EC (electrical conductivity) of the found desmids are provided. These data are supplemented with light microscopic photos, and for some species, photos taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) are included.