Rationale:
In some regions of the world, diatoms (Bacillariophyta) are considered one of the most abundant algal groups, both in species number as in number of individuals.  
 
Overall goal: This projects groups all smaller studies that are performed under the common denominator of biogeography.  The overall goal is to study their occurrence, morphology and taxonomy in various parts of the world.  

Objectives:
•    Perform case-studies in various (rather extreme) environments in the framework of possible new collaborations
•    Increase the biogeographical knowledge of some key-taxa and -genera
•    Make revisions of interesting (rather poorly circumscribed) species and species groups