Algae

Algae is the smallest of out of the chlorophyll-containing plants. These are plants that live almost anywhere you can imagine! These plants are unique in the fact that they have nothing resembling stems or leaves.

Most people think of algae as that slimy stuff that is on the surface of ponds, and even though it is true that most of them live in the water, it is also just as true the fact that there are different kinds of algae that live in humid areas on land...bet you didn't know that!

Water moss, pond scum and seaweed are all types of algae, did you know that sometimes the snow in the Yellowstone national park is green because of the algae...that is kind of weird if you ask me, but it does happen, believe it or not.

You can even find algae in your backyard swimming pool, you know that green stuff that is so hard to get rid of and then to keep gotten rid of?

Interestingly enough, algae is usually classified by its color; green, yellow, brown, red and even blue-green. Alongside the fact that the algae are classified according to color, they are also classified according to how they reproduce and how they store their food...just imagine all that and it's only algae!

Some times, or if I may say, most of the time, algae is viewed as a pest and just slimy stuff that is just gross but God put algae on this earth for a very important reason. Algae are the very first link in the aquatic food chain. If it was not for the algae, a lot of the little creatures living in the water - many of which we humans like to eat - would not exist. You see, God provided for us in every way possible...He gave us food, and clothing and not to mention the fact that He takes care of us day by day, God also prepared to take care of us eternally, all we have to do is accept the gift that He provided for us.

If we take a look at the world around us, we will see the fact that there was a wonderful and wise Creator that made sure that our every need was taken care of, it is amazing how much God loves us! Maybe it is time that we take some time out and thank Him for His wonderful love and care.

Besides the fact that the algae are the first link in the food chain, many scientist believe that the world's oceans, or better said, the algae in the world's oceans carry on about 70 % of all the photosynthesis on earth. If you ask me that is very amazing, something as small and seemingly insignificant as algae can be responsible for something so huge.

Plankton and other small organisms, feed on the algae and in their turn are eaten by larger animals. The ones that eat the algae are called primary eaters, and the ones that eat the algae eaters are called secondary consumers....and so begins the huge and complex thing that is known as the food chain. The thing that keeps the natural world in place.

The biggest group of algae is the green algae, just like the name suggests, the green algae has a grass-green color, although there are some that can be yellowish or brownish in color, green is the most common. Although the individual green algae is microscopic, you can usually see it because of the huge quantities that can be found on the side of lakes and ponds, sometimes you will even find green algae that lives inside a host giving it a greenish appearance. The larger species of green algae can be found along the seashore.

Other interesting algae are the brown algae, this is the algae that can be found in the oceans and seas, the largest of the brown algae is the kelps that grow in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, these are algae that can grow to be over 200 feet long. Impressive!

There are many other types of algae but not enough room to write about them, it is truly wonderful how God has provided for us and our world, and it all starting with something that most people usually say, "gross" about.