The Lives of Seaweeds: A Natural History of Our Planet’s Seaweeds and Other Algae

For those seeking information on seaweeds and algae The Lives of Seaweeds is not only a detailed and precise reference book, but it contains beautiful photographs. These are plentiful and interspersed with the text to complement and inform.

There are many diagrams as well to cement the understanding of descriptions given. In the contents the author has an Introduction, with the following chapters looking at Evolution, Morphology, Life Histories, Ecology, and Algae and Humans. This is supported with a Glossary, and an Index.

It seems that people who live along the coastlines of the world, since prehistoric times, have foraged for seaweed for food. Today we know more about the nutritional benefits of seaweed and enjoy eating it in many and various countries.

Seaweed contains many vitamins and minerals condensed in a small plant. It is much richer than land plants. The flavour that Dashi stock, made from fish and kelp, adds to dishes is famous. There are also many religious and spiritual festivals which incorporate seaweed.

The evolutionary story of algae is interesting. Billions of years ago earth was a harsh environment. The atmosphere was made of mostly nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with just a small amount of oxygen. Bacteria and Plastids help to begin the process of providing oxygenating plants.

The Lives of Seaweeds is a detailed look from evolutionary times to current day practices. Seaweeds and algae and the scientists who study them are carefully discussed and explained.