Ecology, Ecosystems and Coastal Management

Freshwater Algae

Freshwater algae include a wide range of organisms that float in the water or grow on submerged surfaces and have the ability to photosynthesise Many community groups regularly sample freshwater invertebrates and these groups will be accidentally collecting algae in every sample.Alage are the base of the food chain and essential to the life in a lake. Algae are a diverse group of organisms that occur in various shapes and sizes and have different ecological roles. Thousands of species of algae occur world-wide in both fresh and marine waters. Many species of freshwater algae float in the water, but others are attached to submerged rocks or aquatic plants. Most freshwater species are inconspicuous and do not create problems for humans. There are only a dozen or so, so-called "bad actors" that are considered problem-causing algae. Algae typically serve as an important and welcome part of a lake or pond ecosystem.