Algal research
Seaweeds on the shore at Vattarnes, Iceland
Museum staff are actively engaged in a variety of research relating to algae, making use of the collections and wealth of expertise housed within the Botany Department.
The research programme is based around the hypothesis that modern distributions of seaweeds in the North Atlantic reflect their origins and patterns of dispersal.
The programme has two strands:
- A detailed study of two of the largest orders of red algae, the Bangiales and the Corallinales.
- Mapping and recording seaweed biodiversity in the North Atlantic and especially around UK coasts.
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Red algal systematics
Researchers within the Botany Department are conducting a number of systematic projects on red algae, focusing on the Bangiales and Corallinales. Both are common throughout the North Atlantic and taxonomically highly problematic.
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Mapping the UK seaweed flora
The Botany Department's algal herbarium is a rich resource of UK algae specimens. Find out more about our mapping project, including how we are developing the spatial and temporal data for a variety of algae conservation purposes.
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Somerset seaweeds
The work to provide a specimen-based record of seaweeds in Somerset, UK, has revealed that the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel area have a huge macroalgal biodiversity and uncovered species previously unknown in the area.
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Global Seaweed Network
The network is developing a programme to enhance and develop the global seaweed community into an internationally recognized and respected scientific body. Find out more about the current strategy of the Global Seaweed Network.
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Staff studying algae
Find out who is currently involved in algal-related research at the Museum.