Algal biodiversity in the Catalan Countries

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Keywords:

algae, biodiversity, Catalan Countries.

Abstract

We present the state of the art on algal biodiversity in the Catalan Countries, covering the different environments where algae thrive (terrestrial, freshwater, marine). This study, based on scientific references, shows the existence of a large biodiversity, comprising an estimated 4,500 species. However, the real figure should be much higher because a thorough knowledge of these groups of organisms is still lacking. Little research is being conducted on biodiversity in Catalonia at present and most of the scientific studies deal more specifically with ecological processes than with species diversity. The main areas of research today are microalgal blooms, which are usually toxic, and to a lesser extent marine macroalgae. In recent times, floristic studies of freshwater algae have decreased substantially and those dealing with terrestrial algae have always been all but totally lacking.

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