Kelp Forest Regeneration
California has lost 90% of its kelp forests in the last 10 years. Caused by the proliferation of purple sea urchins, as their predators disappear from human impacts and climate change.
Clearing "urchin barrens" allows rapidly growing kelp to make a healthy kelp forest in a few months. This creates habitat for marine life and sequesters carbon dioxide.
The latest science shows that kelp forests can sequester more carbon than mangrove forests, so restoring kelp is critical to solving climate change.
Kelp
Kelp grows 2 feet per day. Kelp forests provide habitat and food for over 700 species of algae, invertebrates, and fish.
Project Partner
SeaTrees has partnered with The Bay Foundation to regenerate kelp forests in Southern California.
The Cause
Southern California kelp ecosystems are out of balance from climate change and human impacts that removed key predators like sea otters and sunflower sea stars.
The Problem
Sea urchins play a role in a healthy kelp forest, but can proliferate and create "barrens" where kelp cannot grow. These barrens are essentially permanent until they are removed.
The Solution
When the urchins are removed, kelp can quickly grow back to its prior extent. Other urchin predators (fish, lobsters) can then keep the population in control.
The Results
In a matter of months, the kelp forests can recover in a cleared urchin barren.
Long term results
The Bay Foundation scientists monitor pre/post conditions at every dive site. After 5 years, the site is considered restored if the kelp forest is healthy and urchins are in balance.
Climate Change
Kelp biomass often floats into the deep ocean, where it sinks. Each year, 10% of kelp primary productivity is permanently sequestered.
