Giant kelp forests on Tasman Peninsula survive marine heatwave, brings 'hope' amid climate change

  • 📰 abcnews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 68 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 31%
  • Publisher: 83%

Australia Headlines News

Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines

Tucked away in a picturesque bay on the Tasman Peninsula is a precious underwater field of giant kelp that's thriving thanks to a team of determined scientists.

Tucked away in a picturesque bay on the south-eastern tip of Tasmania is a precious underwater field of dreams.

Around 1996, he participated in a documentary showcasing the kelp, but within two years the kelp forests had gone."It was pretty distressing to see what was happening."According to Scott Bennett, a marine scientist with the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies , there's one main cause behind the kelp dieback.Mick explained that global warming has had a devastating impact on the giant kelp, as well as overgrazing from sea urchins and damage from recreational fishing.

The East Australian Current is displacing eastern Tasmania's cool nutrient-rich water and causing the giant kelp forests to sufferAnd this giant kelp isn't just any plant — Scott describes it as the "foundational engine" of coastal marine ecosystems.Locals have watched on in despair as their world-renowned"The reefs we have here are truly incredible," Scott says.

The plants are then tied with twine to PVC piping and grafted to smaller kelp species that are already established on the reef."That pins the twine in place, and the giant kelp grows quickly … and attaches itself to the rock and substrate underneath."After starting 18 months ago, the early plants have already grown to the surface, and they’re not floating away.— roughly half a football field — which Scott says is really exciting to see.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 5. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

ANZ CBA NAB WBC ASX: NZ tries to break grip of big four across the TasmanThe New Zealand competition regulator has made draft recommendations including a RBNZ review of capital rules to give smaller banks an assist.
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »

Luxury winery accommodation options in Victoria’s Gippsland and Mornington PeninsulaTwo Victorian wineries – Polperro on the Mornington Peninsula and Carrajung Estate in Gippsland – give their accommodation offerings a luxe boost.
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »

Ukraine war: ten years after Putin annexed Crimea, Russia’s grip on the peninsula looks shakyWhile Ukraine’s fortunes on the battlefield have been mixed, its operations in Crimea and the Black Sea have been rather more successful.
Source: _TCglobal - 🏆 4. / 83 Read more »

Eyre Peninsula firefighting family protects community with Wanilla CFS 'Popemobile'Roslyn Hocking has clocked up 20 years in her country SA fire service and is now its leader, following in the footsteps of her father and serving alongside her mother and husband.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Apple: How the US case against the tech giant could change Australians’ digital worldThe US Department of Justice has taken Apple to task over the very things it’s being tried for in a Melbourne courtroom. Does one case affect the other?
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »

McGrath real estate set to be bought by global property giantSydney real estate operator John McGrath is in talks to sell his listed agency to Knight Frank and Bayleys.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »