Kelp Forests

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Hi, this is Scott Fitzpatrick from New Hampshire Audubon, bringing you Something Wild.

You may be familiar with the famous kelp forests off the coast of California where the sea otters roam. But you might be surprised to learn that similar habitats also exist nearby in the Gulf of Maine.

Kelp is essentially large seaweed, which is large algae. Some species can be up to 100 feet long and can grow very fast—up to 12 inches a day. Large concentrations of these ocean plants are called kelp forests. Our local versions have fewer and smaller species of kelp but are quite lush, and support rich communities of animals.

Kelp forests occur worldwide in cold, nutrient-rich, coastal waters. Because these plants photosynthesize and so need sunlight, they are restricted to clear, shallow water—rarely deeper than 20 to 80 feet. The word “forest” is quite appropriate. Large kelp fronds accumulate toward the surface of the water, forming a sort of sunny canopy layer. There’s a distinct mid-layer that receives less light, and a dark, shaded forest floor.

These marine environments buffer the ocean currents, providing safe shelter, nurseries, and resting places for crabs as well as and fish. Many creatures feed on the nutritious kelp. In the Gulf of Maine, sea urchins are important grazers. And people have eaten kelp for thousands of years. It’s a terrific source of protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, including iron, calcium, and iodine.

Unfortunately, these critical habitats are at risk. Freshwater runoff, containing fertilizers and other pollutants, damages the kelp and the animals that coexist with it. And because kelp can only survive in cold water, ocean warming associated with global climate change could cause these delicate, but incredibly valuable, ecosystems to collapse entirely.

For Something Wild, I’m Scott Fitzpatrick.

Something Wild is a joint production of New Hampshire Audubon, New Hampshire Public Radio, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.