Periphyton structure, diversity and colonization.

Abstract

The morphological characteristics, biochemical composition, taxonomic composition and diversity, as well as the colonization process and sloughing and recolonization of periphyton are reviewed. The proximate composition of periphyton grown on different substrates in different habitats, and a list of some periphyton taxa in different habitats (i.e., ponds, lake, marsh/wetland, stream/river and estuary/sea) are given.