Terrestrial soil diatom assemblages from different vegetation types in Zackenberg (Northeast Greenland)

A total of 81 taxa were observed from 30 soil samples taken from 5 differen t vegetation types in Northeast Greenland. Most of the dominant diatoms are well-known cosmopolitan aerophilic taxa; only Caloneis aerophila and Pinnu laria lagerstedtii are less widespread species. The valve lengths of P. bor ealis and Hantzschia amphioxys are correlated with the moisture content of the soils. Average cell number/g dry weight of soil amounts to 1,120,000 +/ - 740,000. In a TWINSPAN classification, the soils of the different vegetat ion types are separated, with the exception of the Vaccinium soils, which a re grouped partly with the Cassiope samples and partly with the Salix soils . In a CCA ordination diagram, the Navicula atomus-Fragilaria elliptica ass emblage shows a positive correlation with organic content and pH and a nega tive one with permafrost depth. The Pinnularia divergentissima var. martini i-P. obscura assemblage is positively correlated with moisture. The Pinnula ria lagerstedtii-Caloneis aerophila assemblage is positively correlated wit h permafrost depth and negatively with pH and moisture.