The Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles - An Identification Guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial Algae

Book & CD-ROM  714 pp, 2000 diags, 11 illus, 900 photos on CD  ISBN 0521770513      £107.00

The varied and often beautiful forms of freshwater algae have long held a fascination for naturalists and professional scientists alike, particularly those involved in monitoring and managing the freshwater environment. This Flora provides the first modern account and identification guide to more than 2200 species of freshwater algae found in the British Isles (excluding diatoms), the majority of which also have a world-wide distribution. Non-technical descriptions are supported by clear line illustrations or photographs that emphasise the features significant for identification, most of which can be seen with a simple light microscope. In addition, user-friendly keys enable the accurate identification of specimens to the level of genus or species. Notes are included on ecology, world distribution and any taxonomic problems or identification difficulties. The accompanying CD-ROM photo catalogue of more than 900 spectacular colour images of freshwater algae and their habitats provides a valuable additional reference source and identification tool.

Contents

Foreword; Preface; Contributors; Introduction; Scope of the Flora; Distribution and ecology; History of freshwater algal studies in the British Isles; Field methods; Laboratory methods; Classification; Key to the Phyla; Phylum Cyanophyta; Phylum Rhodophyta; Phylum Euglenophyta; Phylum Cryptophyta; Phylum Pyrrophyta; Phylum Raphidophyta; Phylum Haptophyta; Phylum Chrysophyta; Phylum Xanthophyta; Phylum Eustigmatophyta; Phylum Bacillariophyta; Phylum Phaeophyta; Phylum Prasinophyta; Phylum Chlorophyta; Phylum Glaucophyta; Glossary; Standard format of authors of algal names; Sources of illustrations or material; Bibliography; Organism index; Subject index.