GLOSSARY AEROBIC - requiring oxygen ALGA -  a plant that is photosynthetic and reproduces by releasing spores. ALKALINITY - the buffering ability of seawater ANAEROBIC -  needing no oxygen to survive AQUACULTURE -  the farming of freshwater and saltwater organisms ARAGONITE -  a mineral made of mostly calcium carbonate AQUASCAPING -  the artful arranging of plants, substrate and rocks in an aquarium BARRIER REEF -  a reef that is separated from land in a shallow area BIOMASS - total amount of material in a single organism BLADE -  the leaf like structure on macro algae. BLADDER -  the float on species such as Sargassum and Botryocladia that allow algae to stand upright. BRANCH LETS -  small projections from the main branch CALCIFIED -  having calcium carbonate deposits within or on the plant CLASS -  a group of related organisms COLONY -  an organism made up of connected individuals CORALLINE ALGAE -  a calcareous algae that encrusts CYSTOCARP -  a reproductive formation on female Rhodophyta DENITRIFICATION -  the process of converting nitrate to nitrogen gas DETRITUS -  the build up of sediment and organic material  DIATOMS -  a micro algae, rich in silica, that grows as a film DOSING -  adding chemicals or elements in small quantities ECOSYSTEM -  the combined physical and biological components of an environment ENVIRONMENT -  the combined physical, chemical and biological surroundings EPIPHYTE -  an organism that lives on plant material but does not prey on it FAMILY -  a group of related organisms FILAMENTS -  a slender row of plant cells FROND - the blade or leaf of macro algae GENUS -  a group of multiple related organisms HABITAT -  the environment where an organism grows HOLDFAST -  a root like structure that algae posses to attach themselves KELVIN -  a measurement of the color temperature of light LAGOON -  a protected area behind the reef LIVE ROCK -  harvested or cultured rock from the ocean that contains organisms and bacteria  MACRO ALGAE -  large multi-celled algae MICRO ALGAE  - small single celled algae NUTRIENT -  a chemical or element required for growth OOLITIC -  a very fine form of aragonite sand PHOTOSYNTHESIS -  the ability to convert sunlight into food PROLIFERATE -  the formation of new frond on an older part of the plant REFUGIUM -  a separate appendage to an aquarium that provides sanctuary for organisms RHIZOID -  the root like structure of macro algae RHIZOME -  the horizontal runner or stem of macro algae SPECTRUM -  the colors in visible light when separated using a prism SPORE -  a reproductive structure that forms new organisms. SPORULATION -  the release of reproductive spores into the water to form new organisms STOLON -  the stem connecting individual fronds UPRIGHT -  the vertical structural branch of macro algae  Copyright © 2024 GCE All rights reserved. No part of this online publication may be reproduced in any form by any means without the expressed permission of the author. All images are the property of Gulf Coast Ecosystems unless otherwise noted and should not be reproduced or distributed without permission.