Sometimes a drop of water is enough to discover a completely new world. What appears inconspicuous to the naked eye reveals an astonishing diversity under the microscope: delicate cell shapes, artistically structured aggregations, and organisms that have adapted to life in water with intricate strategies. Algae are much more than the green coating occasionally seen on stones or banks. They form a diverse group of photosynthetically active organisms and are fundamentally important as primary producers for the material cycles and food webs of our waters.
Especially impressive are the decorative algae. Their unicellular representatives astonish with a fascinating variety of geometric forms. Many species consist of two mirror-image cell halves, whose shape can range from round-compact to bizarrely branched. Decorative algae are not only attractive objects for microscopy but also interesting indicators of the ecological nature of waters.
A thrilling contrast is formed by the filamentous algae. Their thread- or tube-shaped structures show that plant growth can be realized in very different ways. This group of algae makes clear how broad the spectrum of algal organizational forms can be.
Furthermore, the world of diatoms is presented, whose delicate glass shells made of silicon dioxide form the foundation of modern water analytics. The evolutionarily ancient cyanobacteria and the complexly structured lamp algae, which create entire underwater meadows, as well as the multitude of green algae are also part of the course.
No long experience is needed to get started. Whether you are already comfortable using identification keys or looking through a microscope for the first time: freshwater algae offer exciting discoveries for every level of knowledge. Beginners can get to know the most important forms and features step by step, while advanced learners and experts continually discover new species, challenging identification questions, and ecological connections.

Speaker: Dr. Karl-Heinz Linne von Berg

Time: 10.00 a.m.-5.45 p.m.
Cost: 60€
Location: Schleiden-Vogelsang, NABEAR, Vogelsang 90
Info-Tel.: 01515. 6625207
E-Mail: anfrage@nabear.de

Registration required.