Catherine Wilding1,2, Katie Smith1, Dan Smale1, Pippa Moore2
1The Marine Biological Association of the UK, UK - 2Newcastle University, UK
Loss of kelp habitats driven by anthropogenic stressors has resulted in ecosystem-wide shifts, declines in biodiversity and loss of ecosystem services globally. With environmental stressors predicted to intensify, development of restoration capacity is timely, to allow for fast intervention and promote recovery and resilience. While the UK has yet to experience widespread kelp habitat loss, species substitutions and range shifts are widely documented. Local declines have occurred in the UK and extensive losses are reported from elsewhere in Europe. To mitigate further habitat degradation and safeguard ecosystem services, it is important to develop and test techniques aimed at building resilience, ‘future-proofing’ and potentially restoring kelp habitats as a precautionary approach.
The Sugar Kelp Saccharina latissima, a cold-adapted species distributed from the Arctic to the Iberian Peninsula, has shown recent population declines along the southern UK coastline, although its current status remains poorly documented. We conducted surveys to examine spatiotemporal variability in S. latissima demography (density, standing stock, growth rate), assess population status, and establish baselines for future monitoring. Reproductive output was also quantified to estimate recovery potential and the need for restoration intervention.
Concurrently, “green gravel” restoration techniques are being developed and tested by seeding kelp spores onto various substrates, including natural stone, fishing industry shell waste and 3D printed “reef” units. The influence of substrate on kelp settlement density, attachment strength and growth parameters will be measured under different hydrodynamic conditions. “Green gravel” will then be deployed at sea and monitored to evaluate performance relative to reference kelp habitats.
Biography
Cat is a marine ecologist focussed on kelp restoration, cultivation, and resource management. Currently pursuing a PhD to develop kelp restoration approaches, she spent 7 years as a Research Assistant working on seaweed farming, kelp ecology, community composition, and climate change impacts.
With >15 years experience in marine conservation, stakeholder engagement and outreach, Cat works at the intersection of fundamental ecology and applied research towards broader conservation goals.