An investigation of soil algae in Manitoba

Abstract

An investigation of a number of different soils from various districts in Manitoba was carried out by means of nutrient cultures, for the purposes of determining what species of algae, if any are present. Twenty-five species of algae were identified: a characteristic group consisting of the species Chlorococcum humicola, (Naeg.), Chlamydom- onas communis, (Snow), Nostoc commune, (Vauch.), Ulothrix- subtilis, (Kutz.), Phormidium autumnale, (Ag.), and Phorm- idium tenue, (Menegh.), were found to predominate. Certain species of algae normally submerged aquatics, were recorded for the first time in Manitoba. A possible correlation between zonal distribution and algal species and texture and algal species was suggested.