Developing approaches for kelp forest restoration to futureproof UK marine biodiversity

Kelp forests are distributed across one-third of the world's coastlines, where they support high levels of biodiversity and primary productivity and underpin vital coastal ecosystems. The UK and Ireland represents an important area for kelps, with 7 different species found along approx. 19,000 km of the UK's coastline and predicted to inhabit an area comparable to broadleaf forests on land.

Kelp forests are in decline in many regions, and are vulnerable in the UK to stress factors such as overgrazing, coastal pollution, ocean warming, disease, and fishing activities. These forests support vital important ecosystem services, including fisheries habitats, biogenic coastal protection, nutrient cycling and carbon uptake. Losses or shifts in the structure of kelp forests could have significant consequences for marine ecosystems and the services they provide to coastal communities.

While much research has focussed on techniques to restore and futureproof coral, mangrove and seagrass habitats, far less attention has been given to kelp forests, despite their huge ecological and socioeconomic importance.

The ultimate goal of this project is advance our understanding of active kelp restoration methods and to help futureproof kelp forests in the UK. Specifically, the project will develop, test and refine methods for costeffectively cultivating kelp species in the laboratory and seeding them onto a range of substrates. Experimental substrates will then be out-planted at trial sites and monitored over time to evaluate the efficacy of the restoration approach.

The work will also examine the social/economic benefits and challenges of kelp restoration and translate the findings to facilitate policy and decision making. Specific research activities to address the overarching aim could include:

1. Refine and experimentally test methods to optimise cultivation, seeding and early grow-out for different kelp species. 2. Outplant and monitor seeded substrate at experimental test sites.

3. Compare the ecological structure and functioning of restored areas with natural kelp beds and unvegetated, unrestored areas. 4. Explore socioeconomic benefits and barriers to kelp restoration.

This project will operate at the interface between fundamental biology/ecology and applied research, with significant input from non-academic partners from industry and NGOs.