By Linda E. Graham

present, accomplished, and comfortably available to all readers despite their wisdom at the topic, this information-packed source on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae varieties specializes in what humans really need to know approximately algae—why they're so assorted; how they're comparable; tips to distinguish the main varieties; their roles in meals webs, international biogeochemical biking; the formation of destructive algae bloom; and the way we make the most of them. offers a stimulating evaluate of the significance of algae. Covers biotic institutions related to algae, with discussions on herbivory interactions, algal foodstuff caliber, symbioses, pathogeneic interactions, and extra. Considers the commercial, ecological, and biotechnological functions of algae, and gives entire assurance on algal biodiversity, category platforms, molecular phylogenetics, and alertness of molecular info to ecological difficulties. deals an in depth learn on endosymbiosis. and contains extensive, stand-alone chapters on cryptomonads, dinoflagellates, ochrophytes, purple algae, eco-friendly algae, and phytoplankton ecology. Covers new analytical thoughts (i.e. molecular phylogenetics, DNA-based methods to the examine of existence cycles, and fluorescence equipment for the learn for photosynthesis); integrates many attention-grabbing boxed essays; and complements fabric with a number of photographs and illustrations. For researchers and execs within the fields of aquatic ecology and technological program of algae.