ENVIRONMENT
SUSANNE MASTERS
Underwater forests survey
As swimmers we see more kelp than most people, including kelp beds that are missing from scientific maps. Kelp forests, like rainforests, sustain diverse forms of life with other animals and seaweeds growing and living on and amongst an overstory of kelp. Metres long and with tough leathery blades, kelps such as cuvie kelp (Laminaria hyperborea) absorb wave energy and help reduce storm damage on land. Kelp beds are changing in composition. Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is familiar to fans of Japanese food and increasingly thriving in British waters at the expense of other seaweeds; perhaps a good candidate for foraging. Golden kelp (Laminaria ochroleuca), adapted to warmer sea temperatures, is moving into southern kelp beds. Though its heat tolerance is an asset, species adapted to cooler growing kelps don’t make as much use of golden kelp.