Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Potential habitat distribution for the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata in the continental US

January 1, 2009

The diatom Didymosphenia geminata is a single-celled alga found in lakes, streams, and rivers. Nuisance blooms of D geminata affect the diversity, abundance, and productivity of other aquatic organisms. Because D geminata can be transported by humans on waders and other gear, accurate spatial prediction of habitat suitability is urgently needed for early detection and rapid response, as well as for evaluation of monitoring and control programs. We compared four modeling methods to predict D geminata's habitat distribution; two methods use presence-absence data (logistic regression and classification and regression tree [CART]), and two involve presence data (maximum entropy model [Maxent] and genetic algorithm for rule-set production [GARP]). Using these methods, we evaluated spatially explicit, bioclimatic and environmental variables as predictors of diatom distribution. The Maxent model provided the most accurate predictions, followed by logistic regression, CART, and GARP. The most suitable habitats were predicted to occur in the western US, in relatively cool sites, and at high elevations with a high base-flow index. The results provide insights into the factors that affect the distribution of D geminata and a spatial basis for the prediction of nuisance blooms. ?? The Ecological Society of America.

Publication Year 2009
Title Potential habitat distribution for the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata in the continental US
DOI 10.1890/080054
Authors S. Kumar, S. A. Spaulding, T.J. Stohlgren, K.A. Hermann, T.S. Schmidt, L.L. Bahls
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Index ID 70035935
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse