To survive, rockweed algae have adapted to form thick mats in coastal areas. which statement best describes why the algae have most likely evolved the ability to form mats?

the mats increase access to dissolved oxygen.
the mats protect the algae from herbivores.
the mats protect the algae from strong waves.
the mats reduce water loss from evaporation.

The mats protect the algae from strong waves.

The rockweed algae belongs to brown algae group. These algae forms mat like structure over superficial layers of the water body in order to colonize over the surface of water and to avoid strong waves of water that can disturb the colony of algae.

the water is warmed up by the sun and then it evaporates into the atmosphere. the sunlight warms the water by its heat. water is then cooled down and condensation takes place. the water then finally returns back to the earth by the process of precipitation in the form of rain or ice.

explanation: