A new approach to problems in taxonomy and ecology

Abstract

Diatom systematics and ecology, two of Frank Round's major research interests, contain much uncertainty. This derives from several sources. The taxonomic diversity of diatoms appears to be much greater than previously thought. Recognition of this diversity has led to realization that popula-tion-based ecological studies, although perhaps made more difficult by increased taxonomic resolution, will also likely become even more powerful. There have been significant advances in objective "quantitative" tools useful in understanding diatom taxonomy and parallel advances in tools that allow us to reduce and analyse large, complex, data sets. However, at least partly due to the limited number of in-vestigators involved in research on diatom taxonomy and ecology, these new sources of information have proven difficult to systematize into new and improved understanding. This has served, in some instances, to sharpen the inherent conflict between ecologists, who need a stable taxonomic framework and taxonomists most interested in exploring and explaining biodiversity, biogeography, and their underlying systematic relationships. We suggest application of methods from the rapidly advancing field of fuzzy logic to diatom studies. These methods allow explicit recognition of uncertainties and systematized incorporation of qualitative information and verbal descriptions into analysis of taxonomic and ecological problems.