Although it may look similar, kelp is not a plant - it's a large brown algae or seaweed
that thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters. Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) can grow over 35 meters long
and up to 1/2 meter each day
!
Over 750 million people live within 50 km of a kelp forest.
Thousands of animal species
depend on them for food, shelter, nurseries, medicine, and more
.
Kelp forests have the ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere faster than trees on land. They exude oxygen and help restore vital nutrients in the ocean.
Australia's Great Southern Reef
is an interconnected system of temperate reefs, spanning 8,000km of southern coastline
. Although 70% of Australians live within 50 km of it, most don’t know it exists.
The reef boasts some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity on earth. Up to 80% of the reef's species are endemic
- meaning they can’t be found anywhere else.
In the GSR, off Tasmania's coastline, lies a huge hidden forest of giant kelp. This invisible forest used to be far bigger but due to rising sea temperatures, 95% is now gone
. But, not all hope is lost...
Local scientists are studying the Giant Kelp genetics of the remaining 5% in a bid to uncover its heat survival secrets - to regrow and replenish
the invisible forest and protect the GSR.
The disappearance of kelp has devastating impacts for biodiversity and marine life in the GSR and around the world. We all share one ocean and with climate change taking its toll, it's important we raise awareness to help kelp .
The Great Southern Reef
Australia boasts the world's largest, continuous kelp forest with more than 1,500 species of seaweed including golden, bull and giant kelp!
California, U.S.A
As the birthplace of modern kelp restoration in the English-speaking world, California has more kelp scientists than anywhere else.
United Kingdom
If the British Isles were a castle, kelp would be their moat! Kelp surrounds the islands and hosts a diversity of marine life.
North Japan and Korea
These seafood-loving countries lead the largest, most ambitious, kelp restoration projects on the planet - more than the rest of the world combined.
Patagonia
The Giant Kelp forests off the south coast of Chile and Argentina are so large you can see them from space!
Where can you find kelp?
Discover more