1 July 2012 to 5 July 2012. Some algae form resting cysts when conditions worsen and lie dormant on the sea floor until conditions improve. NIWA Information Series No. Most algae are harmless, but high levels of some species may be toxic and blooms may result in health warnings being issued. Spirogyra is a common green alga. Epic Antarctic voyage complete: analysis begins, Major port biosecurity surveillance underway. "We know already there is massive potential and global market demand for algae based products. Pacific Harvest has supplied New Zealand with high quality, dried edible seaweeds, all sustainably harvested and tested for contaminants, for over 18 years. We're passionate about seaweed and hope to inspire significant change which will positively impact the health of both people and our planet. Pigments, other than chlorophyll, contribute to their colouration so cyanobacteria are not usually bright green. They’re studying the deep candy pink or purple coralline algae, abundant around the New Zealand shoreline and throughout the world, which play a vital role in marine ecosystems. @article{Lindauer1949NotesOM, title={Notes on Marine Algae of New Zealand. Diatoms: Mats of brown growth, fluffy masses or slimy layers on rocks are some of the ways diatoms appear to the naked eye. THE PROBLEM – 02 Algae . Biosecurity helps to prevent damage caused by unwanted organisms. Ocean acidification is the name given to the lowering of pH of the oceans as a result of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Didymo, the exotic pest alga commonly known as ‘rock snot’, is one of the few species that grow well in swift rivers. New Zealand Toxic algae in Wellington rivers, swimmers urged to check first. Marine extremes and everything in between. At NIWA she leads an active algal taxonomy research group and a large marine biodiversity research programme. Blooms of hazardous cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in rivers, lakes and reservoirs can cause problems for both animal and human health. Didymo predictive maps, quantifying the potential threat from didymo to any river reach in New Zealand, are now in use, thanks to work by NIWA scientists. Spirogyra is a common green alga. Algae are simple, aquatic, plant-like organisms that do not have true roots, stems and leaves. The Greater Wellington Regional Council urged the community to check the Land Air Water Aotearoa website for warnings and alerts, following the emergence of toxic algal blooms at Waipoua River, Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River and the Pakuratahi River at Kaitoke campground.. In 2004 Didymosphenia geminata, a diatom commonly known as didymo or rock snot, was discovered in New Zealand, the first time it was found in the Southern Hemisphere.To restrict its spread, the whole of the South Island of New Zealand was declared a controlled area in December 2005. Wendy received the award and lifetime membership of the NZ Marine Sciences Society. About 10–15% of the total land area of New Zealand is covered with native flora, from tall kauri and kohekohe forests to rainforest dominated by rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata; ferns and flax; dunelands with their spinifex and pingao; alpine and subalpine herb fields; and scrub and … The latest model on habitat suitability for didymo growth, based on new survey data from 145 South Island sites, shows a similar general pattern to the 2005 didymo Likely Environments Map (LEM), with South Island rivers much more susceptible than North Island rivers. NIWA scientists are hoping they may one day be able to “listen” to kelp forests in the waters around New Zealand to find out how they are faring. 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