The procedure of compiling the Red List of microscopic algae of the Czech Republic

Nature, species and biodiversity conservation should be a priority of each country. Publishing of Red Lists of animals or higher plants is quite common, but practical protection of algae and especially microalgae is quite a complex task with several difficulties. These complications are the result of our quite poor knowledge about biodiversity (taxonomy, phylogeny) of microalgae together with insufficient data about worldwide distribution of microalgae taxa (undersampling). The need to protect microorganisms, microalgae and heterotrophic protists is a crucial matter due to their role in bioindication and evaluation of the quality of their habitats. That is why it is necessary to have a Red List of these phototrophic organisms as a practical manual for the protection of their habitat and, subsequently, also to have it as a basis for the protection of these organisms. Generally, microorganisms must be viewed not as rare species (in terms of their poor knowledge about distribution, ecology and taxonomy), but as little-known species and a Red List would reflect this idea. We propose a Red List of microalgae, using euglenophytes as a model group, with reflection of taxonomy and autecology of listed species with links to endangered habitats: habitat protection must be understood as a synonym for species conservation. Our proposal is the “starting point” for the evaluation of microalgal biodiversity of the Czech Republic and for deducting conclusions that can be used in the practical habitat conservation.