The first problem that brown algae have is to become attached following reproduction. The second problem is to survive tidal and seasonal changes. These adaptations assume the complexity that is found in vascular plants that abound on land. Attachment has many forms and can be studied in very effective manners in the laboratory as well as in situ. One such study involves the orientation of germlings and will be discussed in class.
Many brown algae appear to exhibit seasonal succession.
One such example is Sytosiphon lomentaria . An example of research examining the process of seasonal periodicity will be discussed in class.