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Description of the Habits of Blue Green Algae

Blue green algae are responsible for the creation of oxygen in our atmosphere. Fossil records show that blue green algae existed more than 3.5 million years ago, making them one of the oldest known fossils. Today, blue green algae are found across the globe in a variety of aquatic habitats. Although named, algae, they are more closely related to bacteria, and classified under the biological phylum Cyanobacteria. However, similar to plants, they use photosynthesis, or energy from the sun, to produce their own food.

Basics
- Blue green algae get their name from their bluish-green hue. Unlike typical algae plants, blue green algae they do not have organelles bound by membranes, such as a nucleus or chloroplast. Instead, blue green algae have a single, circular-shaped chromosome in their cell walls, and perform photosynthesis through a thylakoid membrane. These features make it in closer relation to bacteria. Blue green algae are typically found in aquatic habitats, but can also survive in damp terrestrial environments.
Aquatic Habitats
- Across the globe, the majority of blue green algae are found in fresh water. They colonize in lake and pond environments.Dense blooms can be seen in the upper regions of the water column. Blue green algae are also found in salt water, such as the ocean and brackish water. Their ability to survive in different levels of salinity, as well as varying temperatures and nutrient levels, makes them very adaptable to a variety of aquatic habitats. However, they thrive and are the most fruitful in warmer waters that contain high levels of nutrients.
Terrestrial Environments
- Also adaptable to land, blue green algae are found in a variety of damp terrestrial habitats. They are found in damp soil where they nourish and establish vegetation in addition to aiding the production of humus. They are also found growing in tree trunks and over bare rocks. In desert environments, rocks that are provisionally dampened during brief spells of rain are home to blue green algae. They are also found in flower pots and growing on the sides of homes and buildings.
Organisms
- Blue green algae also make their homes living on other organisms. For example; in the ocean, blue green algae are found on the seafloor, living on sponges and other organisms. They also form symbiotic relationships with plankton. In terrestrial environments, blue green algae are found living on lichens and protists. The relationships they form with other organisms are positive, as the blue green algae and its host mutually provide the other with energy. Blue green algae are even found living in the fur of animals like polar bears and sloths. The shaggy fur of the sloth has a blue green tint. The algae aide the tree-dwelling sloth by providing camouflage. Grooves in the sloth's hair allow blue green algae to take hold and establish residence.

Nature