Key Kelp Resources

Kelp forests are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth, providing a wide range of benefits to both marine life and people. These underwater forests inhabit many of the world’s coastlines, supporting countless species and contributing billions of dollars to the global economy. They also play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, cycling nutrients, and supporting fisheries. The economic value of these benefits is immense, estimated at over $500 billion each year. Additionally, kelp forests have the potential to help combat climate change by capturing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the deep ocean. Despite their significance, kelp forests often go unnoticed in environmental policies and conservation efforts. The Kelp Forest Challenge works to ensure that kelp forests are included in nations’ commitments to international agreements such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and associated 30x30 targets. Protecting a kelp forest before it disappears should always be the first priority, and this strategy is critical for their long-term survival. While 16% of the world’s kelp forests are protected, just 1.6% are in areas where activities like fishing are fully restricted. What’s more, 6.8% are not classified in IUCN categories, hampering efforts to assess their conservation status. Effective conservation requires a combination of strict protection and sustainable management, and nearly all countries still need to increase their efforts to meet global conservation targets. Efforts are being made around the world to restore kelp forests that have been lost or degraded. Countries like Japan and Korea have led the way, with government support driving successful restoration projects. Although kelp restoration is still a relatively new field, progress is being made, with ~19,000 hectares of kelp forests restored so far. A growing global community is working to protect and restore kelp forests, with hundreds of participants from 25 countries. This community includes scientists, conservation groups, Indigenous Peoples, communities, and businesses, all working together to safeguard these vital ecosystems. Public engagement and community driven efforts are becoming increasingly important in the fight to protect kelp forests. There is a growing body of resources that have been developed to support kelp conservation efforts, including guidebooks, monitoring tools, and databases. These resources help people working in conservation to share knowledge and learn from each other’s successes and challenges. Collaboration and information sharing are key to making sure kelp conservation efforts are as effective as possible. Kelp forests are incredibly valuable ecosystems that play a vital role in supporting marine life, coastal economies, and even helping to fight climate change. However, they face serious threats from climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Protecting and restoring these underwater forests is not only an environmental imperative but also a necessity for the well-being of communities and the planet. By working together, advancing our understanding, and committing to sustainable practices, we can ensure that kelp forests continue to thrive for generations to come.