Ologies with Alie Ward: Macrophycology (Seaweed) – Episode Summary

Release Date: June 11, 2025

In this captivating episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward delves deep into the fascinating world of Macrophycology, the study of large seaweeds, with an expert panel comprising Dr. Patrick Martone, Dr. Charles Yarish, Danielle McHaskell, Angela Jones, and Becky Swerida. The episode explores the evolution, diversity, ecological significance, and potential climate impact of seaweeds, blending scientific insights with engaging anecdotes and humor.

Introduction to Seaweed Science

Alie Ward kicks off the episode by introducing the diverse team of macrophycologists:

• Dr. Patrick Martone: Leads the Martone Lab at the University of British Columbia, focusing on seaweed evolution, anatomy, biomechanics, and ecology. Creator of the Seaweed Sorter app.

• Dr. Charles Yarish: Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut and Chief Scientist at GreenWave.org, recognized as the "wizard of seaweed" for his pioneering work in seaweed cultivation and farming.

• Danielle McHaskell: PhD candidate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, specializing in non-native seaweed ecology and the intersection of art and science.

• Angela Jones: Fifth-year PhD candidate at Northeastern University, studying sea star morphology with extensive research in algae pressing as art therapy.

• Becky Swerida: Stewardship Coordinator at Maryland Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, known as "Becky the Sassy Seagrass Scientist."

Notable Quote:

Alie Ward (00:20): "This episode on seaweeds and kelps and algae has five, count them, five ologists. And it's a wild ride into the ocean waves."

Evolution and Diversity of Seaweed

The discussion begins with personal anecdotes from Daniel McCaskill about his childhood in Florida collecting sargassum and the subsequent inspiration to pursue seaweed science. Dr. Yarish elaborates on the global diversity of seaweeds, highlighting the predominance of kelp in nutrient-rich, cold waters of the Pacific Northwest and Asia, contrasting with the smaller, calcium carbonate-producing seaweeds in tropical regions.

Notable Quotes:

Daniel McCaskill (10:00): "My thesis and my PhD, I was really interested in all the different shapes and sizes and colors of seaweeds and how they can cling to the rocks under big breaking waves."

Angela Jones (12:12): "There are seaweed that can grow in dim light or, I probably should say, in moonlight."

The panel delves into the classification of algae, distinguishing between green, red, and brown seaweeds based on their pigments and evolutionary history. They explain that brown algae, such as kelp, have evolved more recently compared to red and green algae, emphasizing convergent evolution where seaweeds resemble plants but are not closely related.

Notable Quote:

Daniel McCaskill (19:50): "They sometimes look like plants, like a kelp can look like a little tree, but actually they're not closely related to plants at all."

Ecological Significance and Climate Impact

The experts discuss seaweed's role in ecosystems, including providing habitat and food for marine life. Angela Jones shares her experience of studying seaweeds beneath ice sheets, revealing their adaptability to various environments.

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the potential of seaweed in climate change mitigation. Danielle McCaskell and Angela Jones highlight efforts by organizations like GreenWave to cultivate seaweed for carbon sequestration and nitrogen uptake, although they caution that more research is needed to fully understand its impact.

Notable Quote:

Angela Jones (53:02): "The sargassum is really something. It's floating at the mercy of the currents, but it's been able to form very large beds that are really wrecking havoc with tourism in the Caribbean and also in the Gulf of Mexico around the coast of Florida."

Culinary Uses and Aquaculture

The panel explores the global culinary significance of seaweeds, particularly in Asian cultures where species like nori are staple foods. They discuss the burgeoning seaweed aquaculture industry in North America and Europe, emphasizing its economic potential and sustainability.

Daniel McCaskill shares innovative approaches to seaweed farming and culinary experimentation, such as his course's "Top Chef Seaweed" competition, where students create edible seaweed dishes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of differentiating edible seaweeds and ensuring sustainable harvesting practices.

Notable Quote:

Daniel McCaskill (36:26): "I really do like some of the locally harvested pyropias, like the local noris. If you crisp them up just right, they can have a really nice salty taste."

Reproduction and Anatomy of Seaweed

The episode delves into the reproductive cycles of seaweeds, explaining the lack of seeds and flowers, and detailing the processes of spore production and fertilization in different seaweed species. Angela Jones elucidates how chemical attractants aid in sperm-egg pairing in the vast ocean.

Notable Quote:

Angela Jones (77:21): "The female releases a chemical attractant called a pheromone, sort of like, you know, insects. And that pheromone is so strong, it can then attract those sperm to find the egg and fertilize."

Seaweed and Human Impact

Listeners' questions address the environmental concerns associated with seaweed, such as sargassum blooms exacerbated by nutrient runoff from sewage and agricultural fertilizers. The panel discusses the dual impact of sargassum on marine ecosystems and coastal communities, highlighting both ecological disruption and opportunities for resource utilization.

Notable Quote:

Daniel McCaskill (51:03): "There are a couple different species that live off the coast like that. And from what I understand, those sargassum areas, because of ocean warming, have not only gotten larger over time, but also because of changes in currents and winds, you end up getting multiple species combining into, like, a mega island of Sargassum that all washes ashore."

Innovations and Future Directions

The experts explore innovative uses of seaweed beyond culinary applications, such as bioplastics development. Companies like Sway and Notpla are pioneering the creation of biodegradable packaging from seaweed extracts, aiming to reduce plastic waste.

Notable Quote:

Daniel McCaskill (69:55): "There are several businesses that are taking extracts from kelp and from red algae and making, yeah, bioplastics out of them."

Personal Connections and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, the guests share personal stories and connections to seaweed, from Dr. Martone's passion manifesting in a seaweed tattoo to Danielle McCaskell integrating seaweed studies with visual arts. These narratives underscore the community and cultural aspects of macrophycology.

Notable Quote:

Daniel McCaskill (91:37): "My tattoo artist was Japanese, and so she had a history with seaweed and was excited to tell me all about eating seaweeds when she was little."

Conclusion and Upcoming Content

Alie Ward wraps up the episode by highlighting the importance of continued research and community involvement in seaweed science. She teases the next week's focus on Aquaculture, promising to explore sustainable farming practices and their ecological implications.

Notable Quote:

Alie Ward (99:51): "We're looking at farming stuff from the sea and whether or not it's a terrible idea. I'm invested in seaweed. I love it."

Key Takeaways

• Seaweed Diversity: Seaweeds encompass a vast range of species across different climates, each adapted uniquely to their environments.

• Ecological Role: Seaweeds are crucial for marine ecosystems, providing habitat, food, and contributing to nutrient cycling.

• Climate Mitigation: While promising for carbon and nitrogen sequestration, the full potential of seaweed in climate change mitigation requires further research.

• Culinary and Industrial Uses: From sushi to bioplastics, seaweeds offer versatile applications that are economically and environmentally beneficial.

• Community and Culture: Personal stories and cultural practices surrounding seaweed highlight its significance beyond scientific study.

This episode of Ologies not only educates listeners about the intricate world of seaweeds but also inspires appreciation for their ecological and cultural importance. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, Alie Ward successfully makes macrophycology accessible and intriguing for all audiences.