B.C. scientists develop technique to restore kelp forests for future generations
For Liam Coleman, scuba diving in B.C. waters is like taking a weightless walk in the woods.
“It's a really beautiful, quite special experience to go diving into kelp forests …. It's like you were walking weightless in space, but it has a forest around you,” said Coleman.
After getting past the cold water, Coleman sees schools of fish swimming through the forests, golden sunlight reflecting through the water past the rows of kelp, and once in a while, a seal or sea lion comes by to surprise him.
The most magical part is life blooms where the kelp forests live, said Coleman.
The kelp, which can grow 20 to 30 metres tall from the ocean floor, provides food and shelter for thousands of marine species while absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
However, climate change and other factors are chopping away at the undersea forests in some parts of the world.
Coleman, a post-doctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University's department of biological sciences, is working with fellow scientists to find a way to help save kelp forests for future generations.
He and a team of researchers at the university have developed a cryogenic freezing technique to store seeds of the at-risk bull kelp in a biobank.
The biobank can keep the kelp seeds in perpetuity, allowing kelp farmers, community groups and environmental organizations to access samples and reintroduce them to the oceans in the future, Coleman said.
Sherryl Bisgrove, the project's lead biologist, said the technique allows researchers to preserve the biodiversity of the kelp forests with little maintenance in case they become extinct in the future.
“Storing kelp is really important because warming temperatures - especially when they come in the form of heat waves like we have had in recent history - is devastating to some of the kelp forests,” said Bisgrove, an assistant professor of biology at Simon Fraser University.
Marine life thrives in kelp forests. They're used as a habitat, nursery or hunting ground, said Coleman.
“They promote fisheries output by supporting the development of salmon populations and other economically important fish. They fix (absorb) large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and therefore may possibly have a role to play in combating climate change in the future,” said Coleman.
But the kelp forests are in decline. Australia has lost up to 95 per cent of its kelp forests in some areas in the past 80 years. Puget Sound, off Seattle, has also experienced substantial losses of bull kelp over the last century.
The forests are also diminishing in Barkley Sound off Vancouver Island's west coast and off Hornby Island, a B.C. Gulf Island, said Bisgrove.
Coleman said the consequences of losing kelp forests include shoreline erosion, a decline of water quality and the decrease of the wild salmon population, since the fish rely on kelp forests for survival.
As scientists, Bisgrove said witnessing what's going on in the world creates an urgency to save as many kelp species as possible by gathering their seeds while they're still alive.
“We have the technique,” said Bisgrove. “What we need to do now is start collecting the populations that are still there before they disappear.”
Bisgrove's team also sees the biobank as part of the solution to restore the forests.
“Once we established our collection of different species, we'd be able to supply material to farmers, and community-based groups and other parties that are interested in restoring kelp,” said Bisgrove, adding that scientists can also use these resources for research.
Although the team has the cryopreservation technique ready, it is also looking for funding to secure a facility for the biobank.
Bisgrove said they are currently storing samples in the university's lab.
If they have a permanent facility, they can store the kelp species they have now and also extend the biobank to restore as many other coastal species as possible, such as seaweeds and seagrasses that are important for habitats on the coast, she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2022.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.