High-resolution images of phytoplankton cells such as diatoms or desmids, which are useful for monitoring water quality, can now be provided by digital microscopes, facilitating the automated analysis and identification of specimens. Conventional approaches are based on optical microscopy; however, manual image analysis is impractical due to the huge diversity of this group of microalgae and its great morphological plasticity. 

As such, there is a need for automated recognition techniques for diagnostic tools (e.g. environmental monitoring networks, early warning systems) to improve the management of water resources and decision-making processes. Describing the entire workflow of a bioindicator system, from capture, analysis and identification to the determination of quality indices, this book provides insights into the current state-of-the-art in automatic identification systems in microscopy. 

Part 1: Fundamentals

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Diatom Classifications: What Purpose Do They Serve?
Chapter 3:  Diatom Taxonomy And Identification Keys
Chapter 4: Teratologies/Life Cycle/Ecotoxicology
Part 2: Sensing
Chapter 5: Microscope Lighting Techniques
Chapter 6: Microscope Filtering Techniques
Chapter 7: Automatization Techniques. Slide Scanning
Part 3: Analysis
Chapter 8: Segmentation
Chapter 9: Feature Extraction And Classification
Chapter 10: Multifocus And Hdr
Chapter 11: 3d Imaging
Chapter 12: Morphometrics
Part 4: Applications
Chapter 13: Water Quality Assessment
Chapter 14: Diatoms In Forensic Analysis
Chapter 15: Benthic Foraminifera And Diatoms As Ecological Indicators.