Conclusions
Lange-Bertalot et al (1996) points out “identification problems occur unexpectedly often with oligotraphentic and oligo-dystraphentic species. Even both the authors of the Süßwasserflora together with other experts cannot incontrovertibly identify almost 25% of the taxa. This is in spite of extensive literature searches, checking types, and decades of experience in identifying diatoms from all continents”. It is therefore with some temerity that this project offers what appears to be the first account of the biodiversity of the diatoms of Loch Maree. The total taxa found consists of 32 genera and 151 species (including varieties and morphotypes), of these species 51 do not appear in the British check-list. These figures compare favourably with these of other British lakes. A Tabellaria species which may be new was found. The finding of 51 species which are not in the British Check List (Hartley, 1986) indicates that the biodiversity of our British waters is greater than thought, and that efforts should be made to sample more of our remote waters. In affinities the Maree flora seems between those of the English Lake district and those of Finland. The Achnanthes have proved a very difficult group to identify partly by virtue of their size and partly by their frequent failure to present their raphe sided valve to the viewer. Much work remains to be done on Loch Maree, one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs, but the number of species found provides a baseline, and it is hoped to be able to add to this in the future.
Acknowledgements
I wish to particularly thank my supervisors Professor D.G. Mann and Dr S.J.M. Droop for sharing their expertise both in the laboratory and the field . Perhaps I should alsoadd their cooking at Kinlochewe! Dr. S. Helfer has given much advice on the mysteries of Microsoft Excel. The staff of the library of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have always been most helpful and pleasant. I would also like to thank Professor Douglas Henderson for sharing his local knowledge of the Torridon and Gairloch area and both Professor Alan Brook along with Alan Joyce of Talmine for help in trying to trace information on Loch Maree. I must also thank the Letterewe Estate, in particular Mrs Barbara Grant for arranging permission to sample from the shore. Similarly to the staff at the S.N.H. centre at Kinlochewe for permission to sample from the western shore of the loch. Finally my grateful thanks to my wife Eileen for her support and sharing in the field work, particularly the 18 miles in and out of Letterewe in the pouring rain and midges