Seaweeds and Seagrasses

Red Seaweeds - Rhodophyta

 

World wide there are 7000 estimated seaweeds, 4000 microalgae and 50 seagrasses.  Here in the Pacific Northwest we have an estimated 700 of these species making our area one of the richest in seaweed biodiversity in the world. (Harbo, 1999)

Sites visited:

Fox Island - South Puget Sound

Willapa Bay - WA Outer Coast

Trip aboard the Centennial - San Juan Island

Argyle Lagoon - San Juan Island

False Bay - San Juan Island

Cattle Point - San Juan Island

Salt Creek - Olympic Peninsula

Sokal Point - Olympic Peninsula

Red Seaweeds can be many colors including, but not limited to, bright red, pink, purple, deep red, grey and black. They are the most abundant of the three divisions of seaweeds in our Pacific Northwest waters with approximately 265 species.  They do not require as much light to grow as the green or brown seaweeds so they are found from the intertidal areas to depths of 25m.  Red seaweeds are commonly harvested for their carrageenan, which is added to food to give it a smooth, creamy texture. Porphyra is harvested for nori used in asian cuisines.

Common Red Seaweeds:

delesseria   succulent   hidden
Winged rib - Delesseria
 
Succulent seaweed - Sarcodiotheca
 
Hidden rib - Cryptopleura

 

mazella   nori   turkish
 
Laver - Porphyra
 

 

sea sacs   encrusting   fil red
Sea sacs - Halosaccion
 
Encrusting and branching coralline algae
 

 

purple sea star

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