Giant Kelp Tasmania Giant Kelp underwater, Tasmanian kelp forests © Jarrod Boord/Streamline Media
Forests of the Sea
Watch the amazing mini-documentary The Kelp Chronicles: Forests of the Sea
Rebuilding the forests of the sea
A towering marine wonder, Giant Kelp plays a pivotal role in maintaining our ocean's delicate balance, providing critical habitat for countless marine species.
Under the surface of Tasmania's vast ocean waters, Giant Kelp Macrocystis pyrifera once flourished in vast, underwater forests of flickering gold. However, since the 1970's, more than 95% of Tasmania's Giant Kelp forests have disappeared.
A once vibrant and healthy ecosystem has been impacted by increasingly frequent heatvwaves driven by climate change, a strengthening East Australia Current driving warm water further south and recent explosions in Sea Urchin populations leading to over grazing.
The restoration of Giant Kelp is crucial for both nature and humans
Giant Kelp forests play a critical role in supporting marine biodiversity, providing a home and refuge for a vast array of fish, mammals, birds, marine invertebrates and more.
A thriving Kelp forest also provides a wide range of ecosystem services, from improving local water quality, to buffering coastlines from erosion - all while enabling a productive and viable local economy by supporting job creation across a multitude of industries.
Notes from the Lab
Learn more about the pioneering science restoring the Giant Kelp forests in The Kelp Chronicles: Notes from the lab
Working towards a solution (with a little kelp from our friends!)
The Nature Conservancy Australia understands the importance and urgency restoring Tasmania's Giant Kelp forests.
That's why we are working collaboratively with a range of partners to safeguard the future of the kelp forests via the Tasmanian Giant Kelp Restoration project.
By bringing together the knowledge, experience and capacity of a wide range of experts, partners and local stakeholders, we are leading the charge to bring back one of Tasmania's most productive, iconic and important ecosystems.
Get the latest updates on our work
Everyday, we working to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
