Seaweed Sorter
Pacific Northwest edition
$3.99
23.09.05for iPhone, iPod touch
Age Rating
Seaweed Sorter Screenshots
About Seaweed Sorter
Seaweed Sorter helps users identify more than 120 species of macroalgae commonly found along the west coast of British Columbia, Canada, including many species that extend from Alaska down to Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
Unlike printed dichotomous keys, which use jargon and often require specialized knowledge, Seaweed Sorter uses easy-to-understand, illustrated questions that assume no prior knowledge and allows users to skip questions at any time.
Seaweed Sorter includes more than 250 photos, current and former names, taxonomic details, clear morphological and ecological descriptions, and lists of other seaweeds that “could be confused with” your specimen – all curated by Dr. Patrick Martone (Professor of Phycology, UBC). Books can be quickly out-of-date, but Seaweed Sorter content will be updated frequently with taxonomic revisions, additional photos, new species, and more. Plus, content is available anytime and doesn’t require an internet connection, making Seaweed Sorter an excellent companion on any trip to the coast.
Great for educators, students, consultants, and naturalists!
Unlike printed dichotomous keys, which use jargon and often require specialized knowledge, Seaweed Sorter uses easy-to-understand, illustrated questions that assume no prior knowledge and allows users to skip questions at any time.
Seaweed Sorter includes more than 250 photos, current and former names, taxonomic details, clear morphological and ecological descriptions, and lists of other seaweeds that “could be confused with” your specimen – all curated by Dr. Patrick Martone (Professor of Phycology, UBC). Books can be quickly out-of-date, but Seaweed Sorter content will be updated frequently with taxonomic revisions, additional photos, new species, and more. Plus, content is available anytime and doesn’t require an internet connection, making Seaweed Sorter an excellent companion on any trip to the coast.
Great for educators, students, consultants, and naturalists!
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What's New in the Latest Version 23.09.05
Last updated on Sep 5, 2023
Old Versions
Major update, seaweed-lovers!
Added 5 new species: Ahnfeltia fastigiata, Fredericqia chiton, Fredericqia decewii, Gracilariopsis andersonii, Gracilaria sp.
Added 2 new questions for species found on sandy beaches or in mudflats
Updated name for Macrocystis tenuifolia (!)
Updated code to ensure questions were parsed correctly, with unhelpful questions discarded
Added 5 new species: Ahnfeltia fastigiata, Fredericqia chiton, Fredericqia decewii, Gracilariopsis andersonii, Gracilaria sp.
Added 2 new questions for species found on sandy beaches or in mudflats
Updated name for Macrocystis tenuifolia (!)
Updated code to ensure questions were parsed correctly, with unhelpful questions discarded
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Version History
23.09.05
Sep 5, 2023
Major update, seaweed-lovers!
Added 5 new species: Ahnfeltia fastigiata, Fredericqia chiton, Fredericqia decewii, Gracilariopsis andersonii, Gracilaria sp.
Added 2 new questions for species found on sandy beaches or in mudflats
Updated name for Macrocystis tenuifolia (!)
Updated code to ensure questions were parsed correctly, with unhelpful questions discarded
Added 5 new species: Ahnfeltia fastigiata, Fredericqia chiton, Fredericqia decewii, Gracilariopsis andersonii, Gracilaria sp.
Added 2 new questions for species found on sandy beaches or in mudflats
Updated name for Macrocystis tenuifolia (!)
Updated code to ensure questions were parsed correctly, with unhelpful questions discarded
23.04.08
Apr 9, 2023
Streamlined and simplified the app by removing redundant question: "Does it branch?"
Updated data for Acrosiphonia coalita
Updated description of Petalonia fascia, which can be confused with juvenile kelps
Updated data for Acrosiphonia coalita
Updated description of Petalonia fascia, which can be confused with juvenile kelps
23.03.23
Mar 26, 2023
New species added: Petalonia fascia! Just in time for early Spring seaweed surveys!
Also updated image asset coding behind the scenes, and happy to report I found the error before throwing computer in a tidepool. :-)
Happy Seaweeding!
Also updated image asset coding behind the scenes, and happy to report I found the error before throwing computer in a tidepool. :-)
Happy Seaweeding!
23.03.06
Mar 8, 2023
Hey Seaweed Lovers! A long overdue update!
- 2 new species added: Neorhodomela aculeata and Neorhodomela oregona
- 2 new questions added: Is it living in a high tidepool, and Is it dark brown or black in colour?
- After re-considering the literature, we've reinstated the species names, Eisenia arborea and Nemalion helminthoides
- New common name for Chamberlainium: Purple Rock Chalk! (the brainchild of local phycologist Elliot Porcher)
- Corrected a data error for Petrospongium rugosum. Keep an eye out for this cool squishy crust!
- 2 new species added: Neorhodomela aculeata and Neorhodomela oregona
- 2 new questions added: Is it living in a high tidepool, and Is it dark brown or black in colour?
- After re-considering the literature, we've reinstated the species names, Eisenia arborea and Nemalion helminthoides
- New common name for Chamberlainium: Purple Rock Chalk! (the brainchild of local phycologist Elliot Porcher)
- Corrected a data error for Petrospongium rugosum. Keep an eye out for this cool squishy crust!
22.01.16
Jan 18, 2022
Happy new year, seaweed lovers! New species added: Gelidium purpurascens! A tricky little seaweed that can be confused with Gelidium coulteri. Hope these photos and description clear it up! Big thanks to Mike Chung and Hannah Levit for bringing this to our attention.
Remember to click "?" on the homescreen to submit problems and suggestions. And please rate us in the App Store!
Remember to click "?" on the homescreen to submit problems and suggestions. And please rate us in the App Store!
20.12.10
Dec 11, 2020
Happy holidays, Seaweed-Lovers! This is a substantial update that will improve the basic usability of the Seaweed Sorter. Thank you for all the fantastic feedback!
Nuts & Bolts updates
-- Homescreen now fills the entire screen of the latest iPhone models (very slick!)
-- Fixed a "dark-mode" error that improves the overall look of the app
-- Fixed a screen rotation error that caused the app to reset
-- Updated the sorting logic to help tease apart more subtle differences in species
Data updates
-- Added 4 new illustrated questions, and removed one redundant question
-- Refined the wording in a two questions
-- Improved the data for Bangia and Rhodymenia
Nuts & Bolts updates
-- Homescreen now fills the entire screen of the latest iPhone models (very slick!)
-- Fixed a "dark-mode" error that improves the overall look of the app
-- Fixed a screen rotation error that caused the app to reset
-- Updated the sorting logic to help tease apart more subtle differences in species
Data updates
-- Added 4 new illustrated questions, and removed one redundant question
-- Refined the wording in a two questions
-- Improved the data for Bangia and Rhodymenia
20.1.12
Jan 13, 2020
Happy new year, seaweed-lovers! This update includes:
- 3 new species (Lomentaria hakodatensis, Caulacanthus ustulatus, Griffithsia pacifica)
- 2 new questions to help refine your search
- Updated Xcode to ensure full screen (instead of "modal") presentation
- Updated data file, including accounting for the fact that Gelidium can appear reddish (thanks, Megan Fass!)
** Please review the Seaweed Sorter on the App Store, and happy seaweed hunting!
- 3 new species (Lomentaria hakodatensis, Caulacanthus ustulatus, Griffithsia pacifica)
- 2 new questions to help refine your search
- Updated Xcode to ensure full screen (instead of "modal") presentation
- Updated data file, including accounting for the fact that Gelidium can appear reddish (thanks, Megan Fass!)
** Please review the Seaweed Sorter on the App Store, and happy seaweed hunting!
19.7.08
Jul 10, 2019
Hey Seaweed fans!
Newest version of the Seaweed Sorter here, now with 111 species from the Pacific Northwest.
- 2 new species, including photos and descriptions: Scinaia confusa and Odonthalia floccosa forma comosa
- 1 taxonomic update: Dactylosiphon bullosus (formerly Colpomenia bullosa)
- 1 new question: "Are the branches thin, hairlike, and difficult to separate?"
- 13 new photos: Desmarestia herbacea, Desmarestia viridis, Soranthera ulvoidea, Mazzaella splendens, Sargassum muticum, Prasiola sp
** Spread the word and please rate on the Itunes Store! **
Newest version of the Seaweed Sorter here, now with 111 species from the Pacific Northwest.
- 2 new species, including photos and descriptions: Scinaia confusa and Odonthalia floccosa forma comosa
- 1 taxonomic update: Dactylosiphon bullosus (formerly Colpomenia bullosa)
- 1 new question: "Are the branches thin, hairlike, and difficult to separate?"
- 13 new photos: Desmarestia herbacea, Desmarestia viridis, Soranthera ulvoidea, Mazzaella splendens, Sargassum muticum, Prasiola sp
** Spread the word and please rate on the Itunes Store! **
19.5.20
May 21, 2019
Added 2 cool new species: Odonthalia washingtoniensis and Ahnfeltiopsis linearis
Added 5 new photos, including "fenestrae" of the lovely Ulva fenestrata
Updated the Arthrothamnaceae family for Macrocystis, Nereocystis, Saccharina, and Postelsia
Updated the screen-name of the app to NW Seaweeds
** We are now at 109 species and counting. Stay tuned, seaweed hunters, more species on the way!
Added 5 new photos, including "fenestrae" of the lovely Ulva fenestrata
Updated the Arthrothamnaceae family for Macrocystis, Nereocystis, Saccharina, and Postelsia
Updated the screen-name of the app to NW Seaweeds
** We are now at 109 species and counting. Stay tuned, seaweed hunters, more species on the way!
19.4.27
Apr 29, 2019
Get the latest taxonomic update here!
- Updated the names of 6 species, including several very common ones
- Ulva fenestrata, Hedophyllum sessile, Hedophyllum nigripes, Savoiea robusta, Prionitis sternbergii, Desmarestia herbacea
- Also updated and refined a few species descriptions
- Improved compatibility with new iPhone X series with 6.5" screens
*Stay tuned, seaweed lovers, as we are gearing up to add a few brand new species to the app. Another big update coming soon.
- Updated the names of 6 species, including several very common ones
- Ulva fenestrata, Hedophyllum sessile, Hedophyllum nigripes, Savoiea robusta, Prionitis sternbergii, Desmarestia herbacea
- Also updated and refined a few species descriptions
- Improved compatibility with new iPhone X series with 6.5" screens
*Stay tuned, seaweed lovers, as we are gearing up to add a few brand new species to the app. Another big update coming soon.
1.2.3
Jul 11, 2018
As advertised, the Seaweed Sorter continues to get better and more comprehensive!
- Added 4 new species: Dictyosiphon sinicola, Laminaria yezoensis, Saccharina nigripes, Zostera marina
- Added 30 new photos, including several of Phyllospadix root and flowers
- Refined descriptions of several species
- Corrected duplicate error in "confused with" section of Costaria costata
**Your comments and suggestions are welcome (seaweedsorter@gmail.com), and please rate and endorse on the App Store! Thanks, seaweed lovers! Happy sorting!
- Added 4 new species: Dictyosiphon sinicola, Laminaria yezoensis, Saccharina nigripes, Zostera marina
- Added 30 new photos, including several of Phyllospadix root and flowers
- Refined descriptions of several species
- Corrected duplicate error in "confused with" section of Costaria costata
**Your comments and suggestions are welcome (seaweedsorter@gmail.com), and please rate and endorse on the App Store! Thanks, seaweed lovers! Happy sorting!
1.2.2
May 27, 2018
- Fixed the Help screen
- Updated italics and spelling in Bangia
- Updated Current Names, including Chamberlainium
- Added Former Names
- Re-worded questions
- Updated italics and spelling in Bangia
- Updated Current Names, including Chamberlainium
- Added Former Names
- Re-worded questions
1.2.1
Nov 17, 2017
- Corrected photo for Mazzaella affinis
- Updated references from Pterosiphonia to Polyostea
- Updated references from Pterosiphonia to Polyostea
1.2.0
Nov 15, 2017
- Italicized species names in descriptions
- Added smart scrolling so "back" button returns users to same position in species list
- Added "Former Names" to the bottom of species pages
- Added smart scrolling so "back" button returns users to same position in species list
- Added "Former Names" to the bottom of species pages
1.0.11
Nov 13, 2017
- Updated to "Pacific Northwest" edition
- Updated Help Page
- Updated Help Page
1.0.10
Nov 6, 2017
- Changed "Skip" button to "Not Sure"
- Updated Seaweed Sorter decision tree for Cumagloia andersonii
- Updated names of Nemalion vermiculare and Polyostea robusta
- Added additional photos for several species
- Updated Seaweed Sorter decision tree for Cumagloia andersonii
- Updated names of Nemalion vermiculare and Polyostea robusta
- Added additional photos for several species
1.0.8
Sep 12, 2017
- Updated descriptions for several species
1.0.7
Sep 6, 2017
- Now with photos and descriptions of 103 seaweed species!
- Fixed an issue with scrolling on some devices
- Fixed an issue with scrolling on some devices
1.0
Jul 25, 2017
Seaweed Sorter FAQ
Click here to learn how to download Seaweed Sorter in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of Seaweed Sorter.
iPhone
Requires iOS 9.0 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 9.0 or later.
Seaweed Sorter supports English
