Germination Dates Algae found in turf belong to the class Chlorophyceae , green algae. The algae that grow in soil are different from aquatic algae species and aquatic species can not live in terrestrial sites. Algae are unicellular organisms. The single cells will group together in either mats or filaments.
Some species are mobile.
When the single units of algae group together they form slippery mats which can prevent oxygen exchange in the soil. When the algae dry, the slippery scum mats, form a hard crust. Algae are not pathogens and do not directly infect the turf. Once algae is established, however, it will out-compete turf as long as the conditions favor the algae. Different species of algae have different pH requirements for establishment, and this is important in the control of algae.