This kelp forest in Argentina remained almost unchanged for 45 years

[Judi Lynn]

It hadn't been studied since 1973 -- but not much changed!
by Fermin Koop March 12, 2020

Kelp is a type of brown algae that live in shallow waters close to the shore and grow in dense groups, like an underwater forest. They play a key role in the marine community as they help to protect a large number of plants and animals, providing them with food and shelter.



Credit Enric Sala/National Geographic

There’s a growing concern for the future of kelps, affected by global stressors like climate change and local stressors such as pollution, overfishing, and sedimentation. Nevertheless, there’s one area where kelp seems to remain unchanged despite the passing of time.

Alan Friedlander of the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas project and colleagues visited the kelp forests in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, which hadn’t been assessed since 1973 due to their remote location. They discovered that the area hasn’t changed much since then.

“The kelp forest of the extreme tip of South America are some of the most pristine on earth and have not changed substantially since the early 1970s when they were first surveyed,” said Friedlander.

More:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/this-kelp-forest-in-argentina-remained-almost-unchanged-for-45-years/

Also posted in Envirornment and energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127136846

[BunnyMcGee]

1. Beautiful pictures

thank you for sharing, I'd love to see this myself

[Haggis for Breakfast]

2. Swan in the kelp forests south of San Francisco.

Cooooool. But almost surreal as if enchanted. So diverse, so pretty. Still it was cooooooool.