Kelp Restoration Science Initiative

la jolla, california

This is an exciting time for kelp restoration in California and around the world.

Kelp forests are incredibly diverse and complex ecosystems, and because of that complexity, there are still many scientific unknowns on the best ways to restore lost kelp forests.

Some methods to restore kelp forests have been proven very effective, such as urchin culling developed by The Bay Foundation at Palos Verdes. However what if urchin barrens are not the problem preventing kelp from coming back?

The giant kelp forests of La Jolla, CA and nearby areas in San Diego are a prime example. These forests have declined by up to 90% since a marine heatwave in 2014-2015 wiped them out, and have not yet re-grown despite water temperatures having returned to normal.

Unlike other locations, urchin barrens are not the problem, with a lack of a seed bank and changing ocean dynamics being the likely cause.

project partner

SCRIPPS

The Lost Kelp Forests of La Jolla

La Jolla is famous for its giant kelp forests, which are a major tourist attraction for kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. However since 2014, many of these forests have disappeared and have not returned.

Project summary

The Kelp Restoration Science Initiative

SeaTrees is launching the Kelp Restoration Science Initiative, which will work with oceanographers around the world to better understand kelp restoration science. The first location for this initiative is La Jolla, San Diego.

La Jolla is also the home of a premier oceanographic research institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This proximity will facilitate rapid development of the project, including content and media capture of the restoration research.

The La Jolla project has four main research objectives:

  • Measuring the current state of kelp forest health in La Jolla in and outside of where the recent loss occurred
  • Understanding the reason for kelp forest loss in La Jolla
  • Field testing of outplant and aquaculture restoration techniques
  • Analysis of the microscopic stages of the kelp life cycle in relation to kelp forest loss and restoration potential & development of thermally-tolerant kelp strains and germplasm banking when possible.

Macrocystis pyrifera

Giant Kelp Life Cycle

map of project location

Historical Loss of La Jolla Kelp Forest

Why We Need Your Help

With your support, we will work with the scientific community at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a leading research authority in marine science, to find new solutions to kelp forest restoration. This research will be critical in bringing back these vital coastal ecosystems, and informing the state-wide kelp restoration toolkit being developed by the Ocean Protection Council for the State of California.

Kelp forests provide a myriad of benefits to both people and the planet, serving as a habitat and food source for thousands of species.

They are instrumental in protecting our coasts from wave action, reducing coastal erosion, and sequestering carbon dioxide from the ocean and atmosphere. Kelp forests also hold cultural significance to the first nations people who have traditionally utilized this marine resource for generations.

Why We Need to Act Now

How is Your Donation Spent?

Your support of this project will go directly toward research expenses involved in the investigation of San Diego’s disappearing kelp forests. Furthermore, your donation will support the monitoring of the site, developing content, sharing stories, and ongoing communications about the project.

Together we can pioneer kelp restoration science through this innovative project. Your support will break new ground in marine research and help us identify tools and approaches to bring back Southern California’s kelp once and for all.