Algal turfs are thick, carpet-like beds of seaweed that retain sediment and compete with foundation species like corals and kelps, and they are usually less than 15 cm tall.
ˈælɡəl tˈɜːfs ɑːɹ θˈɪk, kˈɑːɹpɪtlˈaɪk bˈɛdz ʌv sˈiːwiːd ðæt ɹᵻtˈeɪn sˈɛdɪmənt ænd kəmpˈiːt wɪð faʊndˈeɪʃən spˈiːsiːz lˈaɪk kˈɔːɹəlz ænd kˈɛlps, ænd ðeɪ ɑːɹ jˈuːʒuːəli lˈɛs ðɐn fˈɪftiːn sˌiːˈɛm tˈɔːl.