Kelp forests are one of the most biodiverse and ecologically important habitats on earth. Kelp is known as an ‘ecosystem builder’ because it provides shelter and food for other species, it captures and absorbs nutrients, and it plays a vital role in coastal processes.
Across the English North Sea, one recent study estimated that kelp forests accumulate 1300t of organic carbon per year – helping us to keep our atmosphere clean.
Watch ‘The Beauty of Blue Carbon’ animationWhat did the project do?
Kelp exists across much of North Yorkshire and a small area of East Yorkshire, where it thrives in shallow waters on the rocky shore, absorbing nutrients from the sunlight. However there are no accurate maps of distribution, extent or the condition of our kelp habitats. We needed to know more about where the kelp is, the quality and composition of the kelp species, and how we can help it thrive in the future.
We can use this data to understand how important kelp habitats are to help us combat climate change and our ambitions for nature recovery.
How did we collect this data?
Working with the University of Hull and other partners, we:
- Used remote sensing data to measure the extent and distribution of kelp (including satellite, aerial imagery and bathymetric data);
- Conducted transect dives and shoreline surveys to assess species distribution, quality and quantity;
- Created a visual representation of the extent of Yorkshire’s kelp forest through an online map;
- Generated estimations for how much the kelp habitats contribute to carbon sequestration processes;
- Identified potential areas that require enhancement or management support.
What did we find out?
The University of Hull team collected a lot of data! This included hours of underwater video footage and survey information which we are still digesting, but the key findings of the project are:
- Yorkshire’s kelp habitats are generally healthy and support significant numbers of wildlife – from fish and seals to commercially important species like lobsters and crabs.
- In some areas, sea urchins and blue-rayed limpets have over-grazed the kelp and reduced it’s ability to grow in places where it would normally be.
- Our kelp only exists in a narrow band along the coastline. In other areas, kelp is found in much deeper waters.
- Our estimates suggest that the kelp forest holds a ‘carbon stock’ of around 2000 tonnes.
This is just the beginning – we need to know whether human activities or other natural pressures are limiting the growth of the kelp to shallow waters. We need to know whether grazers are significantly impacting the kelp habitat and why this is happening in certain areas. We need to know how we can better support and enhance our kelp forests to draw-down more carbon from the atmosphere and continue to be a thriving marine habitat.
Read the full report
With thanks to our project funders
and our project partners
