Breakthrough in Rostock: Comprehensive study on armory algae published!

Breakthrough in Rostock: Comprehensive study on armory algae published!

The biology and importance of the armory algae are the focus of a new comprehensive publication, which was created by a team of 70 authors under the direction of Professor Hendrik Schubert from University Rostock . The reference work is entitled "Charophytes of Europe" and comprises more than 1,100 pages. The publication represents a valuable resource for understanding this important algae, which plays a central role in the water system.

armor algae, an important group within the algae, not only act as a habitat agent for young fish and small crabs, they also contribute to the stability of waters that suffer from nutrient entries. These algae are good organic indicators for water, which underlines their relevance in environmental research. The authors of the new work have carried out extensive analyzes and also discuss controversial views within the research community.

research and collaboration

The results of the reference work are based on the cooperation of European experts, which were fell together in the Characen working group at University of Rostock , which was founded in 2004. The organization of the comprehensive review was a central project in this group. Despite the lack of specific project financing, the work was supported by the passion of researchers and projects funded by numerous EU, DFG, BFN and BMBF.

Some questions, such as the protection options for parthenogenetic clans, remain open. These aspects are further investigated as part of the EU-funded ProParts project at the University of Rostock.

The role of algae in the ecosystem

algae are an ancient group of plants that live in the water. According to Oceanblog there are probably several 100,000 species that play an essential ecological role, especially when creating atmospheric oxygen. Algae can be roughly divided into two groups: macro algae and micro algae.

macro algae, also known as large algae, are usually firmly overgrown on the seabed and are divided into three main categories: brown, red and green algae. Meanwhile, microalgae cannot be recognized with the naked eye and form the phytoplankton that is the basis of the food network in the sea.

The knowledge from the new work "Charophytes of Europe" is therefore not only important for scientists, but also promote understanding of the ecological relationships in waters and can contribute to improving water protection. This publication is an important step towards preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable environmental practices in Europe.