The foremost textbook and reference for studying Phycology, Algae, Second Edition, features hundreds of new illustrations, a new chapter on terrestrial algae, and thorough updates that reflect new classification structures. With an emphasis on algae ecology and molecular biology, the authors focus on what students really want to know about algae—why they are so diverse; how they are related; how to distinguish the major types; their roles in food webs; global biogeochemical cycling; the formation of harmful algae blooms; and how we utilize them. The text also provides a broad coverage of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae.