Difference between revisions of "Portal:Marine Biodiversity/Selected Article"

From Coastal Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 14: Line 14:
 
embryophyte land plants (Cavalier-Smith, 2007). In recent years our knowledge of these organisms has greatly advanced, thanks to new types of data (mainly electron microscopy observations and DNA sequence data). Based on these data, we know now that algae represent an artificial and unnatural agglomeration of very different
 
embryophyte land plants (Cavalier-Smith, 2007). In recent years our knowledge of these organisms has greatly advanced, thanks to new types of data (mainly electron microscopy observations and DNA sequence data). Based on these data, we know now that algae represent an artificial and unnatural agglomeration of very different
 
organisms, sharing the only common characteristic of living in aquatic habitats. Algae
 
organisms, sharing the only common characteristic of living in aquatic habitats. Algae
living in the sea are typically subdivided in [[Marine_Plankton|plankton]] (the complex of microscopic
+
living in the sea are typically subdivided in [[Marine_Plankton|plankton]] and benthos. [[Diversity and classification of marine benthic algae|'''More...''']]
algae not visible with unaided eye, which live floating in the water) and benthos (the
 
collectivity of the algae that live attached to the sea bottom). [[Diversity and classification of marine benthic algae|'''More...''']]
 

Revision as of 11:50, 31 July 2009

Diversity and classification of marine benthic algae

Algal canopy at low tide on the west coast of Irish Sea. Photo © EcoServe


Chlorophyllian photosynthesis is responible of almost all primary production at global level and represents the most fundamental process for the support and maintenance of life on our planet. Organisms performing photosynthesis occur in every habitat in which sunlight is available. Whereas vascular plants are largely responsible of photosynthesis on land, in aquatic habitats this process is mainly perfomed by the wide and heterogeneous complex of organisms called algae.

In the widest sense, algae are defined as oxygenic photosynthesizers other than embryophyte land plants (Cavalier-Smith, 2007). In recent years our knowledge of these organisms has greatly advanced, thanks to new types of data (mainly electron microscopy observations and DNA sequence data). Based on these data, we know now that algae represent an artificial and unnatural agglomeration of very different organisms, sharing the only common characteristic of living in aquatic habitats. Algae living in the sea are typically subdivided in plankton and benthos. More...