1) Commercial kelp harvesting

2) Pollution

3) Climate change

4) Over grazing of animals

California Kelp:

Since 2014, bull kelp forests in northern California have declined due to a combination of extreme warm water events (a marine heat wave known as the “Blob” and an El Niño) and dramatic increases in native purple sea urchin populations, which feed on kelp. After a major removal of these urchins, efforts have been successful to restore kelp populations.

1) creates shelters for many different aquatic species

2) is a rich food source with the important nutrients that aquatic species need

2b)kelp holds vitamins such as A, B, C and E which can provide health benefits to consumers.

3) harvested for aquaculture feed, bioplastics and other materials

4) acts as a natural form of coastal protection. can reduce wave sizes by up to 60%

5) acts as a key component within the carbon cycle. Through photosynthesis its estimated to sequester up to 20 times more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests.

The cons:

1) if gone pass the point of no return it would act as a amplifier of climate change. The carbon stored in the kelp is realized back into the atmosphere when it dies

2) could be used a crucial resource for invasive species to gain strength