Algae on the move

Summary It is the common lot of unattached algae to move with, or through, the surrounding water, and of attached algae to remain attached despite the movement of water over them. Movement of solution also occurs within larger algae. These various movements have important consequences for the acquisition, retention and allocation of resources such as energy (from light) and dissolved solutes containing nitrogen and phosphorus. This paper discusses the costs in relation to the benefits of moving (or resisting movement) for resource manipulation. Examples are taken predominantly from algae which occur naturally in Scotland.