Water plants of all sizes, from the 60-meter long Pacific Ocean giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) to the micro ur-plant blue-green algae, deserve attention from critical plant studies. This is the first book in environmental humanities to approach algae, swimming across the sciences, humanities, and arts, to embody the mixed nature and collaborative identity of algae. Ranging from Medieval Islamic texts describing algae and their use, Japanese and Nordic cultural practices based in seaweed and algae, and confronting the instrumentalization of seaweed to mitigate cow methane release and the hype of algal photobioreactors, amongst many other standpoints, this volume comprehensively addresses the ancestors of terrestrial plants through appreciating their unique aquatic medium.

"No organisms are more important to life as we know it than algae. In Slime, Ruth Kassinger gives this under-appreciated group its due." --Elizabeth Kolbert Say "algae" and most people think of pond scum. What they don't know is that without algae, none of us would exist. There are as many algae on Earth as stars in the universe, and they have been essential to life on our planet for eons. Algae created the Earth we know today, with its oxygen-rich atmosphere, abundant oceans, and coral reefs. Crude oil is made of dead algae, and algae are the ancestors of all plants. Today, seaweed production is a multi-billion dollar industry, with algae hard at work to make your sushi, chocolate milk, beer, paint, toothpaste, shampoo and so much more. In Slime we'll meet the algae innovators working toward a sustainable future: from seaweed farmers in South Korea, to scientists using it to clean the dead zones in our waterways, to the entrepreneurs fighting to bring algae fuel and plastics to market. With a multitude of lively, surprising science and history, Ruth Kassinger takes readers on an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes, and into-the-kitchen tour. Whether you thought algae was just the gunk in your fish tank or you eat seaweed with your oatmeal, Slime will delight and amaze with its stories of the good, the bad, and the up-and-coming.

The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.

"Featuring hundreds of new illustrations, a new chapter (23) on terrestrial algae, and through classification updates, Algae, Second Edition is the indispensable guide for studying algae. With an emphasis on algae ecology and molecular biology, the authors focus on what readers 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; how we utilize them, and more. This text also provides broad coverage of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae."--Jacket.

It is easy to get mesmerized with freshwater aquariums. Creating an underwater ecosystem is not only a rewarding experience but can also bring much peace and relaxation to your life. They seem easy to care for at the start, but there is more than meets the eye when keeping your freshwater aquarium and pets healthy. This book will guide you through every process of starting an aquarium, maintaining healthy fish and plants, and tips on how to battle common problems. Perfect for beginner hobbyists and longtime aquarium enthusiasts, An Introduction to Freshwater Aquariums makes it easier than ever to set up a beautiful aquarium that family and friends alike can enjoy, not to mention, most importantly, yourself. Included in this book are full-color photographs that will supply readers with: - Step-by-step instructions on setting up your aquarium - Understanding the chemistry and biology involved in keeping a healthy aquarium - Anatomy and diseases - Including 70+ of the most popular species of fish, invertebrates and plants, and much more.

This is a great book for anyone who takes care of swimming pools❗ A MUST HAVE that applies to pools of any shape or size, whether you go on to take the certification class or not, you'll have fewer bouts with green, yellow, and black algae 🦠with this 'How to' book on your shelf. Don't spend money on expensive treatments! Swimming pool algae is easy and super inexpensive to prevent when you know what to look for. Rudy shares tips and hacks that he has learned over his thirty years in the pool industry to help your pools keep that crisp, clear, Caribbean look. All algae are not the same, and cookie-cutter treatments don't always work. Stankowitz takes the guesswork out of identifying what you are dealing with and matching the best treatment to the specific algae type. An excellent book for both residential and commercial pools.Whether you maintain a single pool or multiple bodies of water on a route, the 'How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae' book will be the most comprehensive guide on algae prevention and remediation you will ever own. Algae is the single most commonly encountered swimming pool problems noted worldwide, so we felt that it deserved a book of its own that did more than touch upon the subject. But, be warned, after reading, you may find that you have become somewhat of a Guru on the topic. Beginning April 2nd, 2021, a Certification class to accompany the 'How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae' book - taught by the author, thirty-year pool industry veteran, pool water chemistry expert, and award-winning instructor Rudy Stankowitz. The Algae Prevention & Eradication Specialist certification course will cover the book's material and then some. In both the publication and the class, you will learn: Algae Myths Environmental Factors The Role Water Chemistry Plays Conditions Different Algae Types Prefer The Influence of Filtration & Circulation Characteristics of Algae Species Algastats and Algaecides And More! "Rudy, your field samples are very interesting - and rare. There is almost nothing published on the varieties of algae in pools... If you focus on black "algae," you will be the first person in nearly 40 years to document it. That would be really, really cool." - Dr. Roy D. Vore, Ph.D., Microbial physiologist, Senior Consultant, Vore & Associates LLC, previously Technology Manager, BioLab inc. "Fascinating!!!" - Dr. Tom Lachocki. Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Executive Legacy LLC, previously Chief Executive Officer, National Swimming Pool Foundation "Interesting Rudy. I think it points to the importance of conducting a larger study where a number of pools are sampled to look for trends and how and if the trends correlate to certain pool parameters (indoor vs. outdoor, disinfectant used, maintenance schedule, typical swimmer profile, etc.). It also demonstrates the importance of validating the efficacy of a product in a field trial(s). At the end of the day, the best approach may be tailored treatment plans that are optimized for each pools, similar to the "personalized medicine" trend. Good work!" - Darla Goeres Ph.D., Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University

Algae Materials: Applications Benefitting Health offers a comprehensive analysis of biosensors, algae materials for clinical applications, algae polymers, proteins and pigments, algae for food applications and packaging, blue economy, algae forming, cosmetics, and more. The book enlists the less explored areas of algal bioproducts, including how the application of genetic engineering is currently used to enhance bioproducts. Even though there are numerous reviews and scattered documents available, there are some recent fields yet to explore. - Offers a comprehensive analysis of biosensors, algae materials for clinical applications, algae polymers, proteins and pigments, algae for food applications and packaging - Enlists the less explored areas of algal bioproducts like how applications of genetic engineering are used to enhance bioproducts - Includes recent findings and often excluded areas in microalgae research available in a single source