The Ecology of the Diatom Genus Tabellaria in the English Lake District

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Abstract
Alkalinity (expressed as mg/l CaCO3) is an important factor determining the distribution of Tabellaria spp. In the English lake district, where 200 lakes, tarns and pools were investigated, T. quadriseptata occurs in waters whose alkalinity (mean of highest and lowest recorded) does not exceed 2.8. T. fenestrata occurs in waters whose mean alkalinity exceeds 2.1. T. binalis was only found in 3 localities where alkalinity was 0-1.0. T. flocculosa occurs throughout the range 0-112. Spp. of Tabellaria do not invariably occur in waters of suitable alkalinity. Examples are given of the geographical ranges of strains of T. flocculosa and possible roles of evolution in situ and dispersal are discussed.