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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Kelp Forest Restoration in Australia
Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.7, pp.1-12
14/02/2020
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Kelp forests dominate the rocky coasts of temperate Australia and are the foundation of the Great Southern Reef. Much like terrestrial forests, these marine forests create complex habitat for diverse communities of flora and fauna. Kelp forests also support coastal food-webs and valuable fisheries and provide a suite of additional ecosystem services. In many regions of Australia and around the world, kelp forests are in decline due to ocean warming, overgrazing, and pollution. One potential tool in the conservation and management of these important ecosystems is habitat restoration, the science and practice of which is currently undergoing substantial expansion. We summarize the present state of Australian kelp forests and emphasize that consideration of the initial drivers of kelp decline is a critical first step in restoration. With a focus on Australian examples, we review methods, implementation and outcomes of kelp forest restoration, and discuss suitable measures of success and the estimated costs of restoration activities. We propose a workflow and decision system for kelp forest restoration that identifies alternative pathways for implementation and acknowledges that under some circumstances restoration at scale is not possible or feasible. As a case study, we then apply the Society for Ecological Restoration’s 5-star evaluation to Operation Crayweed, Australia’s primary example of kelp forest restoration. Overall, no single method of kelp forest restoration is suitable for all situations, but outcomes can be optimized by ameliorating the driver(s) of kelp decline and achieving ongoing natural recruitment of kelp. Whilst scalability of kelp forest restoration to the seascape-scale remains a considerable challenge, the present review should provide a platform for future restoration efforts. However, it is also crucial to emphasize that the challenges of restoration place a high value on preventative conservation and protection of existing kelp forest ecosystems – prevention is invariably better than cure.
Details
- Title
- Kelp Forest Restoration in Australia
- Creators
- Cayne Layton - University of TasmaniaMelinda A Coleman - NSW FisheriesEzequiel M Marzinelli - University of SydneyPeter D Steinberg - Sydney Institute of Marine Science, AustraliaStephen E Swearer - University of MelbourneAdriana Vergés - Sydney Institute of Marine ScienceThomas Wernberg - University of Western AustraliaCraig R Johnson - University of Tasmania
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.7, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Grant note
- Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub
- Identifiers
- 991012927081802368
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2020 Layton, Coleman, Marzinelli, Steinberg, Swearer, Vergés, Wernberg and Johnson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre; School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article