Sea background
Brown algae

The brown algae are largest and most conspicuous. Almost all the large algae species found on the seashore and in shallow waters are brown algae, usually referred to as kelp.

Brown algae are almost exclusively found in the ocean. Their construction can be complex compared to other algae. They can have blades of various shapes and sizes, the blades are attached on stipes that can be branched. A holdfast, that looks like a root is at the bottom of the stipe. The only purpose of the holdfast is to attach the kelp to the bottom. Sometimes the blades can have air filled bladders (pneumatocystis), their role is to keep the kelp upright.

Large brown algae species form kelp forests in the ocean that are structurally similar to forests on land. As in forests on land, many other species of animals and algae are able to thrive in between the large kelp; many species also live on the kelp branches.

The largest kelp species in the world is the giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the Pacific. It can grow to 100 m high and up to 50 cm per day, which is a world record in growth.

The dominant algae or seaweed species on seashore in Eyjafjörður are knotted wrach (Ascophyllum nodosum) and several species of the genus Fucus. Below the seashore, much larger species of the genus Laminaria dominate the kelp forests.

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tharaskogur-2-erlendur bogason Laminaria saccarina (photo Erlendur Bogason) Laminaria saccarina (photo Erlendur Bogason)

fjruthang-1-bjarni eiriksson Fucus vesiculosus (photo Bjarni Eiríksson) Fucus vesiculosus (photo Bjarni Eiríksson)

 


The Fisheries Science Center | University of Akureyri | Borgum v./Norðurslóð | IS 600 Akureyri | Tel: +354 460 8900 | fax +354 460 8919 | E-mail: hreidar(hjá)unak.is

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