Ecosystem services provided by freshwater and marine diatoms

Abstract Diatoms, a unique group of algae colonising wide range aquatic habitats and contributing to human well-being in many ways. We list summarise these services using the classification Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), i.e. supporting, regulating, provisioning cultural services. The most relevant supporting are photosynthesis primary production, as well sediment formation. They also play key role nutrient cycling habitat serve food for organisms. Regulating oxygen climate control or stabilisation difficult discuss without diatoms. Many services, directly used by humans, can be obtained from These tangible products such medicines immunostimulants but direct technologies wastewater treatment, micro- nanotechnologies were developed Studying past, present, future linked diatoms tool palaeolimnology, ecological status assessment waters modelling is essential. Finally, impressive morphology ornaments diatom frustules make them one spectacular microorganisms, inspiring artists providing number educational opportunities. Therefore, protecting they inhabit not simply nature conservation issue future.