Pūkohu wai/Algae by Krysia Nowak https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae Educational resource en-us 2020-10-28 19:26:29 UTC 2023-02-20 07:01:40 UTC hello@padlet.com What are algae? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871179046 2020-10-28 19:40:50 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871179046 Wait, what? Terminology TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871179379 'Algae' is plural for more than one.
'Alga' is singular - just one of them.
 
Sometimes microscopic algae in water (marine or fresh) are called 'phytoplankton', basically meaning floating plants. In streams algae can also be referred to as 'periphyton' when it grows on rocks or surfaces.]]> 2020-10-28 19:40:56 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871179379 About this Padlet TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871182406 This Padlet has been created in response to algal blooms in Lake Taupō, but provides larger context around algae in general.
Click on any image to 'embiggen' or go to the website.
Underlined words link to other websites for definitions or more information.

This Padlet brought to you by Taupō for Tomorrow]]> 2020-10-28 19:41:52 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871182406 Background image TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871188706 CC BY 2.0]]> 2020-10-28 19:43:49 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871188706 Like plants... TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871193561 They are a little bit like plants; they contain chlorophyll and can make food for themselves through photosynthesis.]]> 2020-10-28 19:45:25 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871193561 ...but not TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871199728 Algae do not have true plant parts like roots, shoots, and stems. Instead they can have different forms like mats, 'leafy' like seaweeds, or even single cells existing alone.]]> 2020-10-28 19:47:32 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871199728 Algae vs plant TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871224427 This example is a water alga like seaweed.]]> 2020-10-28 19:55:37 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871224427 Relationships between plants and algae TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871322133 Phylogeny is the history of relationships between living things. The diagram below shows a simplified phylogenetic tree. On the diagram types of algae are circled in blue - note that they are not all closely related. Higher plants (with roots, shoots, leaves) are circled in green.
Figure credit Armin Hallmann.]]> 2020-10-28 20:30:38 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871322133 Shapes and sizes TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871347263 Algae can be so tiny you'd need a microscope to see them, all the way up to things that look like seaweeds - check out the examples below. The scale along the bottom shows super tiny (1μm or 1 millionth of a millimetre) to huge (100m). Some live as single-celled organisms (living things), while others form colonies.
Figure credit Armin Hallmann.]]> 2020-10-28 20:40:00 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871347263 Titiro/Watch TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871395645 Volvox (freshwater green algae) colony, each sphere containing thousands of individual alga.]]> 2020-10-28 20:59:31 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871395645 Where do algae live? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871403240 2020-10-28 21:02:49 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871403240 Why are algae important? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871415278 2020-10-28 21:08:11 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871415278 Focus on freshwater algae: what is an algal bloom? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871416423 2020-10-28 21:08:45 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871416423 In the ocean - waitai TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871508859 Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash]]> 2020-10-28 21:57:17 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871508859 In fresh water - wai māori TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871510753 Ponds, streams, rivers and lakes.
Photo: Kit Rutherford, NIWA]]> 2020-10-28 21:58:27 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871510753 In damp places on land TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871527712 Ever slipped on tiles or found your outdoor area slimy?]]> 2020-10-28 22:07:52 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871527712 In symbioses (on land or in water) TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871528363 Symbiosis means things living together on a long-term basis. Algae are known to enter many types of symbioses, including lichen, corals, sea slugs, and more.]]> 2020-10-28 22:08:18 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871528363 A food source - kai TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871531732 Algae are consumed by many animals, including people (seaweed on your sushi!). They are an important part of a food web because they take energy from the sun and convert it to a form that other organisms can use.]]> 2020-10-28 22:10:22 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871531732 Hāora rehu/Oxygen TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871535518 Algae produce 50-70% of the oxygen in our atmosphere. Most of this is from marine algae. Next time you breathe, thank algae!]]> 2020-10-28 22:12:35 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871535518 Kapo hauota/Nitrogen fixing TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871536724 Blue-green algae (which are actually bacteria known as cyanobacteria) fix nitrogen gas from the air, and turn it into a form that other organisms  can use. This is an important part of the Nitrogen Cycle.]]> 2020-10-28 22:13:21 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871536724 Bioindicators TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871538890  Some algae are fussy, and some will live in polluted water, so knowing which one is which can help us know how healthy a waterway might be.]]> 2020-10-28 22:14:41 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871538890 Mahi/Activity TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871553316 Learn more about lichens and hunt out some local samples!]]> 2020-10-28 22:23:36 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871553316 Algae are good, but you can have too much of a good thing! TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871565883 In simple terms, and algal bloom is an overgrowth of algae.]]> 2020-10-28 22:31:43 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871565883 Focus on freshwater algae: pests TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871569410 2020-10-28 22:34:04 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871569410 Learn how to Check, Clean, Dry TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871569925 Keep our waterways safe from invasive algae and other pests.]]> 2020-10-28 22:34:23 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871569925 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871586544 2020-10-28 22:45:08 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871586544 Need a quick intro to algae? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871587593 Good, simple overview from DOC.]]> 2020-10-28 22:45:50 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871587593 The basic recipe TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871760123 Algae generate their food through photosynthesis: taking carbon dioxide and water, and producing sugars and oxygen - all using energy from the sun. Algae also need nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous in order to grow.]]> 2020-10-29 00:33:44 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871760123 Credits TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871766437 2020-10-29 00:37:22 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/871766437 What's the deal in Taupō? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874644176 2020-10-29 19:26:01 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874644176 It's naturally low in nutrients TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874647736 Lake Taupō is ultra-oligotrophic - it is naturally extremely low in nutrients, and usually has low algal production. Oligotrophic lakes often have high water quality and support complex food webs.

From  olígos, meaning “few”, & trophikós, “pertaining to food or nourishment”.]]> 2020-10-29 19:27:09 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874647736 What normally keeps algae in check? (Limiting factors) TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874695211 The most common factors that limit algal growth are sunlight, nitrogen, and phosphorous.
That means that if we add lots of one of those three things the algae can start growing like crazy!]]> 2020-10-29 19:41:53 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874695211 Hauota/Nitrogen TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874744320 All life on earth requires nitrogen - it forms the basis of the building blocks for life, including DNA and other proteins.

While nitrogen is abundant in air, the gas is difficult to use, meaning that algae, and other organisms, rely on a limited pool of 'fixed' nitrogen.

 Learn more about the nitrogen cycle, te hurihanga hauota. ]]> 2020-10-29 19:58:05 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874744320 Pūtūtaewhetū/Phosphorus TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874744498 All life requires phosphorus - for DNA, cell membranes, and energy transfer molecules (ATP).

Most phosphorus is in forms that are unavailable to plants and algae.

Algae rely on the small amount of phosphorus that is in available form.

Learn more about the phosphorus cycle.]]> 2020-10-29 19:58:08 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874744498 Sunlight TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874774056 Algae need sunlight to photosynthesize, so can be light limited. For example algae in a small stream may be limited because trees absorb the light before it reaches the algae.]]> 2020-10-29 20:08:47 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874774056 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874819572 2020-10-29 20:25:25 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874819572 But nitrogen is increasing over time TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874983467 Past land-use in our region was more intensive (e.g. adding more fertilizers). These extra nutrients have leached into the wainuku/groundwater. Groundwater moves very slowly, so these nitrogen-rich waters are still being supplied to the lake over time, we call this 'legacy nitrogen'. It is expected that peak nitrogen will occur around 2080.]]> 2020-10-29 21:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874983467 What about phosphorus? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874992116 Phosphorus is less available, and may now be the key limitor of algal growth in the lake.]]> 2020-10-29 21:41:41 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874992116 So...what's happening? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874994250 Warm, settled conditions with little wind favour algal growth. The warmth stimulates growth, and the lack of wind allows the algae to build up (rather than being mixed under again).
Combine these conditions with the ongoing effects of legacy nitrogen, and you have the perfect opportunity for an algal bloom.]]> 2020-10-29 21:42:56 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/874994250 Why can't we swim? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875023623 Not all algae is bad for us, but some can be toxic if swallowed, or cause reactions if you come in contact with them.]]> 2020-10-29 22:00:55 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875023623 Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875033762 Blue-green algae are usually found in very low concentrations in Lake Taupō - low enough that they do not cause health issues. When a bloom occurs, the high concentration of these microscopic organisms can cause severe health problems in humans, pets, and livestock. Read more below.]]> 2020-10-29 22:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875033762 Distribution and biology of invasive algae in Aotearoa TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875053120 Rock snot (Didymo), water net and Lake snow.]]> 2020-10-29 22:19:18 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875053120 What kinds of things can affect these limiting factors? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875060247 2020-10-29 22:23:54 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875060247 Land use TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875297652 Land clearance, and various land-uses can introduce more nutrients than are usually present in a water body.









]]> 2020-10-30 00:55:22 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875297652 Weather TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875299553 Algae need sunlight to photosynthesize, so it makes sense that the longer summer days encourage algal growth. They also grow better in warmer, settled waters. So droughts, calm weather, and long-term climate change can create perfect conditions for algae to thrive.


]]> 2020-10-30 00:56:24 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/875299553 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880791063 2020-11-02 01:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880791063 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880792650 2020-11-02 01:27:00 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880792650 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880794255 2020-11-02 01:28:02 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880794255 'Eutrophication' TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880794902 Eutrophication is characterized by excessive plant and algal growth due to the increased availability of one or more limiting growth factors needed for photosynthesis (like sunlight and nutrients).
  • algae grow like crazy
  • block sunlight for other aquatic plants
  • algae begin to die off and are eaten by bacteria
  • bacteria multiply like crazy - lots of food!
  • bacteria use up lots of oxygen
  • no oxygen left for ika/fish, kōura, and other things in the water
  • worst-case scenario it ends up as a dead zone

Watch the videos to learn more -->

]]> 2020-11-02 01:28:27 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880794902 Will we get the worst-case scenario? All the fish dying? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880819728 Probably not, here are some reasons:
  • the lake is large and deep, so there's lots of space where our animals can survive until the water in one spot goes back to normal
  • the lake doesn't usually stay calm for too long - eventually winds mix the algae up and reduce the impact of the bloom
  • we constantly have highly oxygenated water entering the lake from our rivers

]]> 2020-11-02 01:44:09 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880819728 What can we do to help? TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880826264 Well, we can't stop the legacy nutrients from entering the lake, but we can prevent more being produced.
You can help by:
  • washing you car on the grass - that means that nutrients from detergents feed the grass rather than going straight down the drain to our streams and the lake
  • what goes down the grate ends up in the lake, so make sure it's only water - anything else going down our stormwater drains will end up in our rivers lakes and oceans and can cause eutrophication or other problems
  • planting trees - just like algae, trees need nitrogen and phosphorus, so they can suck some of it up before it reaches our waterways

]]> 2020-11-02 01:48:53 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/880826264 A sad example of toxic algae TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/914146761 2020-11-11 20:01:07 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/914146761 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/928991610 2020-11-16 19:45:39 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/928991610 TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/929576985 2020-11-16 22:52:12 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/929576985 Related content TaupoForTomorrow https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/1624199879 Connected 2017 Level 3 - Mahi Tahi, Testing the Waters]]> 2021-06-24 20:26:01 UTC https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae/wish/1624199879