Algae of Australia

Provides descriptions and illustrations of 541 species of phytoplankton from the estuarine, coastal and offshore waters of southern Australia. It includes photos and drawings and represents the first guide for the identification of these fundamentally important microscopic algae in the temperate Australasian region.

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Phytoplankton account for more than 90 per cent of the biomass of living organisms in the world's seas and produce 50 per cent of the atmospheric oxygen we breathe. They form the base of all marine food webs and play a critical role in shaping global climate. There is an increasing appreciation of their value as key biological indicators of ocean health and the impact of climate change on marine life, fisheries and humans.