Current, comprehensive, and readily accessible to all readers regardless of their knowledge on the subject, this information-packed resource on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae forms focuses on what people really want to know about algae—why they are so diverse; how they are related; how to distinguish the major types; their roles in food webs, global biogeochemical cycling; the formation of harmful algae bloom; and how we utilize them. Provides a stimulating overview of the importance of algae. Covers biotic associations involving algae, with discussions on herbivory interactions, algal food quality, symbioses, pathogeneic interactions, and more. Considers the economic, ecological, and biotechnological applications of algae, and provides complete coverage on algal biodiversity, classification systems, molecular phylogenetics, and application of molecular information to ecological problems. Offers a detailed study on endosymbiosis. and includes intensive, stand-alone chapters on cryptomonads, dinoflagellates, ochrophytes, red algae, green algae, and phytoplankton ecology. Covers new analytical techniques (i.e. molecular phylogenetics, DNA-based approaches to the study of life cycles, and fluorescence methods for the study for photosynthesis); integrates many interesting boxed essays; and enhances material with numerous photos and illustrations. For researchers and professionals in the fields of aquatic ecology and technological application of algae.
Linda E. Graham is Professor of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She teaches a field and laboratory course on algal biology and serves as a consultant to governmental agencies and industry on issues related to algae in the environment or as a source of useful products and processes. Her research lab focuses on algal phylogeny and evolutionary links between green algae and land plants, aspects of algal physiology and ecological associations in freshwaters, and biotechnological applications of algae. Dr. Graham earned a bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis, a master's degree from the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. As a Ph.D. student, she also trained in marine algae at the Friday Harbor Labs operated by the University of Washington. Dr. Graham is a Fellow of the AAAS.
Lee W. Wilcox received his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research interests include symbiosis, evolution, and cell biology of dinoflagellates, green algae, and plants. Dr. Wilcox designed the art programs for Algae and Plant Biology and has provided many original photographs for both texts. He has also contributed photographs and illustrations to a variety of scientific articles, book chapters, and textbooks.
