The word “algae” is often used as a catch-all term to describe many nuisance aquatic plants. However, that’s doing this diverse species a considerable disservice. While there are many nuisance species of algae out there, there are also some very good ones from which aquatic life in your pond cannot exist without them. Algae play a vital role in the health and longevity of any natural or man-made body of water—no matter if it’s an