Australian Kelp Forests Show Resilience After Heatwaves

Scientists are actively seeking ways to protect rare flora and fauna species from extinction. Brown kelp forests (Ecklonia radiata) are showing promising signs of recovery after devastating oceanic heatwaves. Oceanic heatwaves cause a sharp increase in water temperatures over extended periods, significantly impacting marine life. In 2011, kelp populations along the Australian coast declined drastically over hundreds of kilometers. However, researchers have observed that these marine plants are beginning to recover. By using genotyping, scientists studied kelp in affected areas and discovered that two out of three populations are likely composed of surviving kelp, with the remaining population recovering through recolonization from nearby areas. Scientists plan to continue their research, confident that the data obtained will help develop strategies for restoring damaged ecosystems.