Coastal Fund Supports the Algae Field Guide

The Algae Field Guide will be the sister-book to CCBER’s popular Native Plants and Habitats of the UCSB Campus, a plant identification field guide, which is a valuable tool for botanists of all levels to identify common native plants found around the UCSB campus. Similarly, the Algae Field Guide will be a resource for students, faculty, and the public to identify native and invasive species of algae.

The field guide will inform and educate people about the importance and diversity of algae, which will help to create a knowledgeable population that can help preserve the ecological integrity of the shoreline around the UCSB campus. The book contains detailed descriptions of 34 algae species found in the Santa Barbara area. They are categorized into three groups: red, brown, and green algae. The book’s user-friendly format, including its photographs and descriptions, makes it an ideal educational tool for students, faculty, and the public to learn to recognize native and invasive algae species. As a result, fluctuations in algae distribution and abundance can be better monitored.

Two UCSB student interns, Alyssa Hall and Mary Sophia Motlow, have been involved with the project since spring of 2011. Throughout the project they have become knowledgeable about algae species and gained valuable experience writing the text, photographing the algae, and preparing the book for publication. Alyssa Hall explains “Our goal is to educate the public about while making it fun and exciting.”

The two organizations that supported the development and funding of the book, Coastal Fund and the Cheadle Center, are dedicated to the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the terrestrial and marine habitats associated with the UCSB shoreline. Coastal Fund is a student-funded, student-run organization that was started in fall 1999. Since then, Coastal Fund has granted $1.68 million to over 400 local projects and programs.

For more information on projects and funding opportunities visit coastalfund.as.ucsb.edu

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