Diversity of freshwater red algae in Europe

Abstract

Abstract Of the total number of freshwater red algae (ca. 180 taxa), one third are found in Europe (ca. 60 taxa). Over one third (24 taxa) of European taxa have been found at only one single location or at very few locations. The majority of taxa live in running waters, but some occur in lakes, on wet ground, in hot springs or in garden ponds. Diversity in the Nordic countries of Sweden and Finland seems to be somewhat higher (27 and 28 taxa, respectively) than in the central and southern parts of Europe (e.g. Austria 23, Belgium 22, Hungary 9, Poland 22, Slovakia 15, Switzerland 12 and Spain 20 taxa).