Underwater gardeners work to restore B.C.'s majestic kelp forests
![Rockfish swim in a kelp forest Researchers from the University of Victoria are collaborating with coastal First Nations from B.C. to regrow and restore kelp forests that have been impacted by climate change. Rockfish swim in a kelp forest in a handout photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Fernando Lessa)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/7/1/rockfish-swim-in-a-kelp-forest-1-6947401-1719847891886.jpg)
In the chilly waters of Vancouver Island's Barkley Sound, gardeners are at work on the sea floor.
They are scientists from the University of Victoria who are trying to regrow kelp forests, a crucial part of the marine habitat, amid threats from heat waves, climate change and voracious sea urchins.
Julia Baum, a University of Victoria professor of ocean ecology and global change has been studying data going back decades on B.C.'s majestic underwater forests, which provide food and resources for fish and other coastal organisms.
She said a "very prolonged marine heat wave between 2014 and 2016" had a major impact on the northeast Pacific.
“And what we found was that in a number of places, kelp forests disappeared," said Baum.
Bull kelp and giant kelp are the two main canopy-forming kelp species found in marine nearshore habitats off Canada's west coast.
“We found that both of those were disappearing in areas that really became abnormally warm during this long, extended heat wave,” said Baum.
The realization prompted the ongoing project on kelp forest restoration.
The four-year project, funded by $3.68 million from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is now well into its second year, with researchers teaming up with British Columbia coastal First Nations to grow kelp in nurseries at Bamfield on Barkley Sound.
But the science of kelp restoration is still in its infancy, said Baum.
Different from vegetative plants that put down root into soil, kelp instead uses a structure called a "holdfast" to clasp onto rocks.
She said her group had been experimenting with planting young kelp on various materials, such as different-sized rocks or gravel, "to try to see what will take the best."
Reforesting ocean floors with kelp is “challenging work,” she said, with divers having to plant the kelp, monitor its growth, and measure its hardiness in different conditions.
“So, these are really large-scale manipulative experiments where we are planting kelp. It’s kind of like replanting a forest, reforesting an area," she said.
A statement from the university said collaborators include the Huu-aye-aht First Nations and other First Nations, the western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Genome BC, Hakai Institute, West Coast Kelp and other groups.
Connie Crocker, the project’s First Nations liaison, has been building relationships between the scientists and First Nations to apply Indigenous knowledge and expertise to the kelp restoration project.
“The road map to kelp recovery is through awareness. It’s all about awareness — there’s strength in numbers," she said in the statement.
“We need the public behind us … it’s urgent and the ocean is in peril. If only people knew about kelp decline, we could make some headway."
Baum said the project was urgent and she could feel the “drive and momentum” to protect the kelp forests.
“Restoration projects often take a very long time to become successful because it is challenging work," she said.
"But we're approaching it in a really rigorous scientific manner, and so I'm hoping that we can make good progress and actually make a difference for kelp forest ecosystems on our coast."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6955136.1720438921!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Alice Munro's daughter says mom kept silent when stepfather sexually abused her
The youngest daughter of celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro has opened up about sexual abuse by her stepfather and the deep hurt she felt when her mother chose to support her husband instead of her child.
France's elections end up with no clear majority. This is what could happen next
Election results show French voters have chosen to give a broad leftist coalition the most parliamentary seats in pivotal legislative elections, keeping the far right away from power. Yet no party won an outright majority, putting France in an uncertain, unprecedented situation.
Novice northern Ont. driver charged with stunt driving, fleeing police on Hwy. 11 while allegedly impaired
A 31-year-old man from Milford Bay is facing multiple charges following a traffic stop last week.
A major Russian missile attack on Ukraine kills at least 28 people and hits a children's hospital
A major Russian missile attack across Ukraine killed at least 28 people and injured almost 100 on Monday, officials said, with one missile striking a large children’s hospital in the capital, Kyiv, where emergency crews searched the rubble for casualties.
Beryl makes landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, knocking out power to more than 1 million
Power outages are mounting along the Texas coast after Beryl came ashore Monday and lashed Houston with heavy rains and powerful winds as the storm moved inland.
No music, dimmed lights help shoppers during sensory-friendly hours at retailers
The subdued atmosphere is all part of a sensory-friendly experience Walmart Canada recently launched every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at its 403 stores in a bid to make shopping trips easier for people who have disabilities, who are sensitive to busied environments, or who are just looking for a quieter retail experience.
Ottawa councillor, residents condemn arrival of 'hateful' group Diagolon 'Terror Tour'
A community group and an Ottawa city councillor have come forward to condemn the arrival of the far-right group Diagolon after it brought its 'Road Rage Terror Tour' to Ottawa over the weekend.
Popular weight-loss and diabetes medications linked to lower risk of some cancers, study finds
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy may help lower the risk of certain cancers, a new study suggests.
Japan and the Philippines sign a defence pact in the face of shared alarm over China
Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills in the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in the Second World War, but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as both face an increasingly assertive China.