Editing Algae (section)

==Distribution==
The distribution of algal species has been fairly well studied since the founding of [[phytogeography]] in the mid-19th century.<ref name="Round-1981">{{cite book |last=Round |first=F. E. |date=1981 |title=The ecology of algae |chapter=Chapter 8, Dispersal, continuity and phytogeography |pages=357–361 |publisher=CUP Archive |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Rm08AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA398 |via=Google Books |isbn=9780521269063}}</ref> Algae spread mainly by the dispersal of [[spore]]s analogously to the dispersal of [[cryptogam]]ic [[plant]]s by [[spore]]s. Spores can be found in a variety of environments: fresh and marine waters, air, soil, and in or on other organisms.<ref name="Round-1981" /> Whether a spore is to grow into an adult organism depends on the species and the environmental conditions where the spore lands.

The spores of freshwater algae are dispersed mainly by running water and wind, as well as by living carriers.<ref name="Round-1981" /> However, not all bodies of water can carry all species of algae, as the chemical composition of certain water bodies limits the algae that can survive within them.<ref name="Round-1981" /> Marine spores are often spread by ocean currents. Ocean water presents many vastly different habitats based on temperature and nutrient availability, resulting in phytogeographic zones, regions, and provinces.<ref>Round (1981), p. 362.</ref>

To some degree, the distribution of algae is subject to floristic discontinuities caused by geographical features, such as [[Antarctica]], long distances of ocean or general land masses. It is, therefore, possible to identify species occurring by locality, such as "[[Pacific]] algae" or "[[North Sea]] algae". When they occur out of their localities, hypothesizing a transport mechanism is usually possible, such as the hulls of ships. For example, ''[[Ulva reticulata]]'' and ''[[U. fasciata]]'' travelled from the mainland to [[Hawaii]] in this manner.

Mapping is possible for select species only: "there are many valid examples of confined distribution patterns."<ref>Round (1981), p. 357.</ref> For example, ''[[Clathromorphum]]'' is an arctic genus and is not mapped far south of there.{{Where|date=January 2025}}<ref>Round (1981), p. 371.</ref> However, scientists regard the overall data as insufficient due to the "difficulties of undertaking such studies."<ref>Round (1981), p. 366.</ref>