Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Indonesia
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Topics
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Infographic
  • Video
  • Community
  • Partner
  • Press Release
  • Youth
  • Global
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Restoring Underwater Kelp Forests in Australia

Kelp forest has been declining due to global warming. Researchers in Australia are examining the ways to restore the underwater forests.
by Kresentia Madina April 21, 2022
strands of kelp floating in the blue seawater

Photo by Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash

We are all familiar with the forests above the land, but did you know there are also underwater forests? Kelp is a type of brown algae that live on the coastlines across the world. The area where kelps are growing in a dense population is also called a kelp forest.

Like the land forests, these sea forests have been suffering from a population decline due to climate change. As one of the homes of giant kelp forests, Australia has been making several attempts to restore the giant kelp forests in their areas.

Kelp forest: the benefits and declines

Kelp forests usually exist where the water is relatively shallow and penetrable by sunlight. Their functions are similar to the land forests: an ecosystem for animals and organisms to live and excellent CO2 absorbers. 

Kelp forests have been facing a population decline. The Giant Kelp Marine Forests of South East Australia are listed as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The main culprit behind it is global warming. The rising temperature of seawater stresses the kelps, which thrive in cool temperature water. The sudden boom of sea urchins due to the lack of their natural predators also causes overgrazing, where plants are overly-consumed to the point where only patches of soil are left.

Restoration strategies and successes

Researchers in Australia examine the restoration efforts of the kelp forests. The article identifies two main strategies for kelp forest restoration: assisted recovery and active restoration.

Assisted recovery strategy ensures the recovery of kelps by removing sea urchins or installing substrata—a layer of rock or soil beneath the surface of the ground—for kelp colonization. Meanwhile, an active restoration strategy involves transplanting adult and young kelps from a donor site or outplanting lab-cultured kelps. 

One notably successful attempt is Operation Crayweed. This operation aims to re-establish crayweed, a species of brown algae, to their original habitat at the Sydney reef using the transplantation strategy. Attaching the transplanted crayweed into the deforested rocks allows them to reproduce and create a new and self-sustaining population on the reef. In 2019, crayweed started multiple generations in six different locations.

A chance to fight climate change

The ocean covers 71% of the earth’s surface. The ocean ecosystem is a crucial—but often neglected—part of our efforts to achieve sustainability. 

In recent years, algae have captured the attention of researchers due to their benefits. This discovery shows that efforts, funds, and studies should also go into researching and understanding our ocean. Restoring the underwater forests around the world and making sure they’re sustainable means tapping into new resources and possibilities in helping us fight climate change.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma


Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Select Your Subscription Plan
Kresentia Madina
Kresentia Madina
Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Madina is the Assistant Manager for Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has three years of professional experience working on GNA international digital publications, programs, and partnerships particularly on social and cultural issues.

  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa

Continue Reading

Previous: Reducing Cow Emission Using a Seaweed-based Ingredient
Next: Hyundai’s Newest Campaign Supports Sustainable Mobility for FIFA World Cup 2022

Related Stories

Close-up of seedlings growing in pots How India’s National Agroforestry Policy Helps Tackle Land Degradation and More
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How India’s National Agroforestry Policy Helps Tackle Land Degradation and More

by Attiatul Noor June 20, 2025
The rapid development in AI technologies must be supported with AI regulation to ensure responsible usage. Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage

by Ayu Nabilah June 19, 2025
a wilted sunflower Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation

by Kresentia Madina June 18, 2025
multiple megaphones attached on a pillar The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness

by Kresentia Madina June 17, 2025
two hands joining puzzle pieces Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection

by Abul Muamar June 16, 2025
a photo of Umea town landscape. How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

by Ayu Nabilah and Kresentia Madina June 13, 2025

About Us

  • GNA Founder’s Letter
  • GNA In-House Team
  • GNA Author Network
  • GNA Press Release Guidelines
  • GNA Op-ed Article Guidelines
  • GNA Community Content Guidelines
  • GNA Internship
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021-2025 Green Network Asia