Preparation for Diatom Taxonomic Certification Level 1

A Level 1 Certified Diatomist has an up-to-date working knowledge of the diagnostic characteristics of accepted North American inland diatom genera, a practical base for proficiency in performing taxonomic identifications of inland diatoms at the genus level. Level 1 is the first step to certification at the species level. This informational webinar will provide background about the Level 1 exam and explain how to prepare for and take the exam. This will also be an opportunity for participants to provide feedback on what training opportunities should be developed for the webinar series to improve the effective use of diatoms in biological assessment.

Impact/Purpose

This is an informational webinar for regional monitoring coordinators, contractors, academic researchers, and public citizens about the Diatom Taxonomic Certification Program and how to prepare for Level 1 Certification. This will be part of a webinar series for training opportunities that will help produce taxonomically consistent, high quality diatom data for environmental monitoring and assessment programs. This will also be an opportunity for participants to provide feedback on what training opportunities should be developed for the webinar series to improve the effective use of diatoms in biological assessment.

Citation

Lee, S., S. Spaulding, D. Burge, M. Edlund, J. Heinlein, A. Minerovic, AND J. Stevenson. Preparation for Diatom Taxonomic Certification Level 1. Diatom Taxonomic Certification Webinar Series, Washington, DC, November 20, 2019.