Diatoms are the second largest group of plants with probably 200,000 species world-wide. They play a critical part in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, silicon and oxygen, and are used extensively for ecological monitoring and in palaeoecological studies of climatic change, pollution and acidification. A fundamental understanding of diatom biodiversity and good taxonomy is therefore of great importance. NIS countries have historical strength in diatom research, particularly studies of fossil (Tertiary and Cretacious) deposits and life histories, and currently contain several internationally important research groups. In addition, the NIS contain some particularly important aquatic sites such as the Black, Caspian and Aral Seas, which are now threatened by pollution and acidification (Black and Caspian Seas) or may disappear (Aral Sea). Lake Baikal, which alone contains 20% of the world’s surface fresh water, possesses a unique suite of endemic diatom species. The full potential of NIS research programmes cannot be realised, however, because of financial constraints in the NIS and lack of effective communication with Europe and the USA over many years. This project will develop a network to promote and support NIS diatom research and provide a basis for future fund-raising via grants and contracts, through: travel to laboratories and meetings; access to west European facilities; language training and the identification of critical literature for translation; establishment of a database of NIS research and scientists; support of one research group for 12 months, to ensure continuity of its programme which is internationally unique; and joint research.
