Algae: More than Meets the Eye

March 28, 2018 Posted by: Michelle Garcia
Our tide pools here at Cabrillo National Monument are filled with fish, molluscs, and other animals visitors love to enjoy, but many people miss one of the most important groups of organisms. This group can be anywhere from microscopically small to over 150ft long, contains many different colors and textures, and provides food and protection for animals in the tide pools. Most life in the intertidal is directly dependent on this group and without it, the entire world would suffer. That’s right, we’re talking about algae.

Algae is often overlooked despite its high abundance in the intertidal. Visitors think of it as slimy seaweed that gets in the way of seeing more tide pool animals, but without that weird slimy stuff we would see a huge drop in overall biodiversity. Many species rely on different types of algae for food but also for camouflage and protection against predators and harsh waves. Juvenile animals especially depend on the food and safety provided by algae. Also, animals around the world depend on the oxygen created by algae. Algae is responsible for creating a large amount of the oxygen in the air and in the ocean.

There is believed to be 30,000 to 1 million species of algae which are informally separated into three groups: red, green, and brown. Each species has unique adaptations to store water and reproduce. Here are some common species you may see in our tide pools.

Seagrass (Phyllospadix scouleri) and Wire Weed (Sargassum muticum) are very common in the tide pools which many animals use to hide and forage for food. Seagrass is a dark green while Wire Weed is brown and leafy. While Wire Weed is extremely prevalent in the intertidal, it is actually an invasive species, and can be toxic for some native species that try to eat it. 

Seagrass (Phyllospadix scouleri)NPS Photo/Nicole Ornelas: Seagrass (Phyllospadix scouleri)

Wire Weed (Sargassum muticum)NPS Photo/Nicole Ornelas: Wire Weed (Sargassum muticum)

Dead Man’s Fingers (Codium fragile) and Sea Lettuce (Ulva californica) are some more species commonly found in the tide pools. Sea Lettuce is small but easy to spot because of its bright green color. Ulva is also unique because its leaves are only a couple of cells think. Dead Man’s Fingers is very soft and spongy. One clump is actually made of one large cell with the outer skin acting as one large cell wall.

Dead Man’s Fingers (Codium fragile)NPS Photo/Nicole Ornelas - Dead Man’s Fingers (Codium fragile)

Sea Lettuce (Ulva californica)NPS Photo/Nicole Ornelas - Sea Lettuce (Ulva californica)

Coralline algae (Corallina spp.) is an example of red algae in the tide pools. They are small, with a coral-like shell, and one of the most abundant species in the Southern California intertidal.

Coralline algae (Corallina spp.)NPS Photo/Nicole Ornelas - Coralline algae (Corallina spp.)

So next time you explore the tide pools, make sure to take a deep breath, enjoy the fresh air, and give a big thank you to the countless species of algae that make it all possible.

Seaweed, Rocky Intertidal, Biodiversity



Last updated: March 28, 2018

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106

Phone:

619 523-4285

Contact Us

Tools