Aquatic Algae Biodiversity Monitoring Service
Algae provide many extrinsic and intrinsic ecosystems with unique roles. However, human impacts and climate change have led to the destruction or damage of their ecology and distribution. Therefore, continuous research and monitoring of algae are essential.
As a pioneer in algae testing, Lifeasible has the professional testing equipment and data analysis team to provide professional aquatic algae biodiversity monitoring services.
The Role of Algae in the Ecosystem
Aquatic algae are organisms that, despite their simplicity, support many of the complex processes of life on Earth. They provide support, regulation, provisionings, and cultural ecosystems services such as primary production, nitrogen fixation, nutrient cycling, water filtration, food, biodiversity, scientific value, and tourism. Throughout history, humans have utilized these services for a variety of purposes, from harvesting food, animal feed, and fertilizer, to aquaculture, extraction of algae for the medical or cosmetic industries, biofuel production, and ecological monitoring. Commercial uses of aquatic algae support a multi-billion-dollar global industry, and their production and development are increasing.
Detrimental Changes in Aquatic Algal Distribution and Ecology
Expanding global human impacts and climate change have disrupted the ecology and distribution of aquatic algae, adversely affecting the algae themselves, other living aquatic resources, ecosystems, human health, and human activities.
| Global Warming | Changes in the pH of the Water | Invasive Species | Harmful Algal Blooms |
| Global warming affects the ecophysiology, life cycle, zonation, and biogeographic distribution of algae. | Changes in the pH of the water impair sedimentation, photosynthesis, and growth. | Introduction of aquatic algae to new areas through water traffic | Harmful algal blooms caused by pollution and nutrients |
Our Services
With advanced equipment and professional research teams, Lifeasible can provide efficient and reliable aquatic algae biodiversity monitoring services. Our services are based on two main technologies, including morphology-based aquatic algae biodiversity monitoring services and DNA-based aquatic algae biodiversity monitoring services.
- Morphology-Based Aquatic Algae Biodiversity Monitoring Services
Morphology, in which collected specimens are identified by taxonomists under a microscope, is the traditional method of studying biodiversity. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) has now become an important complementary tool for morphology-based monitoring of algae. At the same time, automated imaging flow cytometry and corresponding image analysis software have been applied to detect species diversity in order to enable rapid large-scale analysis of species.
- DNA-Based Aquatic Algae Biodiversity Monitoring Services
DNA barcode-based approaches are particularly effective for identifying enigmatic species by PCR amplification and sequencing of selected DNA barcodes, potentially avoiding the human error of traditional methods. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has largely revolutionized DNA barcode-based methods, allowing for the simultaneous and rapid identification of individuals within different taxonomic ranges in environmental samples in a single effort. DNA metabarcoding-based methods are minimally invasive, faster, comprehensive, and time-/cost-efficient compared to traditional methods.
Why Choose Us
As a well-established CRO company, Lifeasible has been dedicated to algae-related research for many years and is very experienced in algae research and testing. We have provided professional, rapid, and reliable aquatic algae biodistribution monitoring services to many institutions and research groups worldwide over the years. Please contact us for more information.
Our services are for research use only and not for any clinical use.