Algae are essential components of marine and freshwater habitats in and around Australia. They play a critical role in nutrient cycling, as food and shelter for invertebrates and fish, and some have considerable potential as biological indicators of the health of aquatic habitats. At least 12 000 marine, freshwater and terrestrial species are thought to occur in Australia, but many are yet to be described or fully documented. This series will stimulate research on Australian algae, especially the many poorly known groups and their habitats.
The Algae of Australia series will provide the basic systematic data necessary for issues relating to conservation, biological diversity and the management of aquatic ecosystems. For the purposes of this series ‘Algae’ is interpreted in a very broad sense, to cover all organisms that have traditionally been studied by phycologists, including macroalgae, unicellular and multicellular microalgae and cyanobacteria.
Individual titles will range from the more traditional taxon-based accounts to regional or habitat-based treatments. Where appropriate, each volume will include an introductory essay detailing the history of research and systematic relationships of the particular group, as well as information on structure and reproduction. Keys to the identification of families, genera and species will be provided, as well as descriptions, illustrations, notes on ecology, distribution maps and bibliographic information. The series will become an essential resource for those interested in Australian phycology and aquatic habitats.
This series is co-published by CSIRO PUBLISHING and the Australian Biological Resources Study.
