University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
Contact: Celia Smith, 956-6947	Air Date: June 5, 1998

Learning to Live with Algae   Like other plants, algae species survive by developing successful reproductive strategies. Some can reproduce both sexually-producing seeds like many land-based plants-and by cloning. Their success is sometimes unpleasant for us. Maui residents and visitors lament algae blooms that foul some beaches with decaying organic matter. The Navy and marine industries want to keep algae from growing on ships, buoys and other man-made structures. University of Hawai'i research teams are tackling problems like this. They are also investigating coral bleaching. Coral respond to environmental stresses by expelling the algae that normally live inside coral cells and provide a constant supply of food. This symbiotic relationship leads to calcification for the coral and reef building. This is the University Report, I'm Tracy Orillo Donovan.

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