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Seaweed

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Seaweed is a commodity most sought and used by humans. In the classification of living things, seaweed belongs to the group of algae (algae). Seaweed is a common name for a group of macroscopic and multicellular organisms of algae that live in marine water habitats. The anatomy of the body is different from that of the higher plants because it has no true roots, stems, and leaves. Instead, seaweed has a thallus that replaces root function in plants. Thallus absorbs nutrients for photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis in seaweed plants occurs because it has a color pigment such as chlorophyll.

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The existence of seaweed is one way to maintain the balance of marine ecosystems. Seaweed is a source of phytoplankton which is a major producer in aquatic ecosystems. phytoplankton is a type of plankton that is capable of photosynthesis. Therefore the existence of seaweed is very important in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems.

What Are the Different Types of Seaweed?

Scientists have categorized types of seaweed into different categories based on their pigments, cell structure, and other traits. The groups (or phyta) of seaweed that are commonly consumed include:

1. Green algae such as sea lettuce or ulva, and sea grapes
2. Brown algae such as kombu, arame, kelp, and wakame (the miso soup seaweed)
3. Red algae such as dulse, laver, and nori (the sushi seaweed)
4. Blue-green algae such as spirulina and chlorella

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Besides the benefits of seaweed include:

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1. Field of food - as a single cell protein source. Some foods in the world also use seaweed as the main ingredient, for example sushi, ramen and so on. Seaweed can also be used as animal feed 2. Cosmetic field - believed to have a high antioxidant content and is able to prevent signs of aging so much used as a mixture of cosmetic ingredients. Health field - contains anticancer, anticoagulant, and antibiotic. 3. The ecological field - seaweed absorbs minerals and inorganic substances dissolved in water for photosynthesis, so it can be used as a water filtration device and create a suitable habitat for other marine biota by providing the nutrients it needs. 4. The number of benefits that seaweed has made this organism much taken from its habitat. As a result the number of producers in the food chain in the marine ecosystem will be reduced. This causes a disruption of energy flow in the marine ecosystem. So that this does not happen, then the seaweed cultivation so that seaweed can still be utilized but also does not disrupt the marine ecosystem itself.

The many benefits that seaweed has made this organism much taken from its habitat. As a result the number of producers in the food chain in the marine ecosystem will be reduced. This causes a disruption of energy flow in the marine ecosystem. So that this does not happen, then the seaweed cultivation so that seaweed can still be utilized but also does not disrupt the marine ecosystem itself.

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Cultivation

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Seaweed cultivation is important to make the use of seaweed to meet the needs of living creatures more optimal but not disrupt the homeostasis conditions of their natural habitat. Seaweed cultivation is not related to the way of breeding. Without knowing how to breed this plant, the cultivation of seaweed will not run properly. Seaweed multiply in 2 ways: vegetative and generative. - Seaweed vegetative breeding is done by vegetation, conjuncation, tapping or cell wall smelting and spore spreading. - Generative breeding is done by marriage between gametes.

Determining appropriate techniques or methods to cultivate seaweed is a step that must be taken by seaweed farmers. Economic and environmental conditions should be a major consideration. Seaweed Breeding Method can be done in 3 ways namely the basic off method, floating raft method, and the method of long rope.

1. Off-bottom Method

This method is done by planting pegs length 1 - 1.5 meters into the bottom of the water. This method is suitable if the area of ​​cultivation is sandy or muddy. It is not recommended to use this method in areas with abundant types of coral reefs. The basic offsetting method is the easiest method to make but is rarely used because it produces the least seaweed production.

2. Raft/Floating Method

This method is done with materials that make seaweed seedlings can float both during high tide and low tide. To cultivate seaweed in this way can use bamboo or mangrove plants that can float on the sea surface. Bamboo or wood along the 2.5 meters tied to square and tie polypropylene 3 mm with a distance of 10-15 meters. With this method can be tied 225 seeds of seaweed in it.

3. Longline Method

This method has a lot of resemblance to the floating raft method. The difference between the two is that the rope used is thicker with a thickness diameter of 10-15 mm. Similar to the floating raft method, this rope is tied to bamboo or plastic floats and then tied rope rope as a place to tie the seaweed.

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Conclusion

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In addition, the most important is to keep seaweed from destroyers. Seawater destroyers can be natural predators (baronang and buntal fish, turtle turtles, sea urchins), or environmental factors such as fungal and storm infections. Prevention is to cultivate a place far from coral reef ecosystems, baronang fish habitat and other natural predators of seaweed.

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Source :

Seaweed

Benefit of seaweed

Types of Seaweed

Seaweed cultivation

Image credit : 1-2-3-4