Algological soil monitoring

The possibility of using algae to assess the ecological state of soil cover is discussed. The problems of algoindication at organism, population, and cenotic levels are considered. The groups of algae that indicate certain ch aracteristics of soil (water regime, texture, actual reaction of soil solut ion, etc.) were found. The diagnostic key is made for the main soil types o n the basis of counting algae groups. The groups of algae that indicate the main types of soil pollution are analyzed.