Epilithic and aerophilic diatoms in the artificial environment of Kungsträdgården metro station, Stockholm, Sweden

Authors

Lena Norbäck Ivarsson, Stockholm University, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesFollow
Magnus Ivarsson, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of PaleobiologyFollow
Johannes Lundberg, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of BotanyFollow
Therese Sallstedt, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of PaleobiologyFollow
Catarina Rydin, Stockholm University, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesFollow

Abstract

The Kungsträdgården metro station is an artificial and urban subsurface environment illuminated with artificial light. Its ecosystem is almost completely unknown and as a first step to better understand the biology and rock wall habitats the diatom flora was investigated. A total of 12 species were found growing on the rock walls of Kungsträdgården metro station. The results show the diatom flora in Kungsträdgården to be dominated by e.g. Diadesmis contenta, Diadesmis perpusilla, Pinnularia appendiculata, Nitzschia amphibia, Nitzschia sinuata and Diploneis ovalis. One species, Caloneis cf. aerophila, has never been reported from Sweden before. Significant differences in the species composition between the sampling sites indicate Kungsträdgården metro station to be a heterogeneous habitat that provides different microhabitats.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.42.3.12

Recommended Citation

Norbäck Ivarsson, Lena; Magnus Ivarsson; Johannes Lundberg; Therese Sallstedt; and Catarina Rydin. 2013. Epilithic and aerophilic diatoms in the artificial environment of Kungsträdgården metro station, Stockholm, Sweden. International Journal of Speleology, 42: 289-297.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol42/iss3/12