The Inaugural Australian National Algal Workshop

Following the successes of the Australian diatom workshops, a group of attendees at one of these workshops decided to expand the subject field and organise a national algal workshop. The result was the Inaugural Australian National Algal Workshop, which was held at the Department of Geographical and Environmental Studies at the University of Adelaide, February 17 to 19, 1999.

The first indication of the likely success of the workshop was the pre-registration of approximately 70 participants. The participants' interests ranged from general phytoplankton studies to detailed diatom autecology and blue-green algal taxonomy and these interests were reflected in the 3-day programme.

The programme commenced with Professor Peter Tyler condensing his 9-week lecture course 'Introduction to the Taxonomy and Ecology of Freshwater Algae' into one day. Although attending that event required the wearing of seatbelts and crash helmets, all who experienced it had to be impressed with Peter Tyler's ability to combine a wealth of knowledge with wit, humour and insight.

Day two consisted of a brief introduction to the blue-greens (= Cyanobacteria = Cyanophyta = Cyanoprokaryotes) by Peter Tyler, followed by Larelle Fabbro presenting and discussing, A Guide to the Identification of Common Blue-Green Algae (Cyanoprokaryotes) in Australian Waters for the rest of the day. The guide was authored by Peter Baker and Larelle and is available through the CRCFE/MDFRC Identification Guide Series (see full reference below). It contains up-to-date keys to the orders, genera and species occurring in Australia, with 80 figures and information on each species' known ability to form blooms and toxins. As such, it provides a valuable resource for anyone involved in the management of water resources where blue-green algae are potential problems.

Day three was devoted to diatoms, again commencing with a brief introduction to the group by Peter Tyler and was followed by Peter Gell and Michael Reid presenting, An Illustrated Key to Common Diatom Genera from Southern Australia. The key has 64 figures and generalised ecological information for each of the 57 genera covered. It is the first in a series of documents aiming to provide readily interpretable keys to the species of common Australian freshwater diatoms, as well as detailed information on their use as indicators of nutrient, pH and salinity status of waterbodies. Since many of the participants were 'interested but inexperienced' in diatom taxonomy, a key to the genera was much needed and very well received.

The general response of the participants to the workshop was extremely enthusiastic and my opinion is that it was an overwhelming success. Most participants made valuable contacts, gained knowledge relevant to their specialist field, learnt about corollary fields and enjoyed the informal (though intense) learning atmosphere. A second National Algal Workshop is planned at the same venue, with tentative dates being 26-28 April 2000. Although the structure and content of the next workshop is largely dependent upon feedback from participants at the first, there will be a launching of a diatom iconograph with keys and detailed ecological information to the 100 (or more) most commonly found taxa in temperate Australia. There is also expected to be further sessions on blue-green taxonomy, ecology and management.

References

The references given below can be purchased from the CRCFE/MDFRC, P.O. Box 921, Albury 2640 (phone 02 6058 2300). At the workshop, the authors expressed their sincere gratitude to John Hawking for the time and effort he contributed to the production of the guides.

Baker, P and Fabbro, L. (1999). A Guide to the Identification of Common Blue-Green Algae (Cyanoprokaryotes) in Australian Waters. Identification Guide No. 25, CRCFE/MDFRC Identification Guide Series, CRCFE, Thurgoona, NSW.

Gell, P., Sonneman, J., Reid, M., Illman, M. and Sincock, A. (1999). An Illustrated Key to Common Diatom Genera from Southern Australia. Identification Guide No. 26, CRCFE/MDFRC Identification Guide Series, CRCFE, Thurgoona, NSW.