University of Tasmania Postdoctorate Research Fellow Cayne Layton has been leading a team of scientists studying kelp internal dynamics with the goal of improving kelp forest regeneration success rates. They found that adult kelp can engineer their surrounding environment by altering water flow, sedimentation and sunlight in the lower reaches of their patch. The adults can essentially create optimal conditions for themselves and kelp juveniles’ survival and health. This ability to influence their growing environment is critically dependent on the overall size of the kelp patch and its density. A reduction in either value negatively affects the recruitment and survival of juveniles.
Full article at: Cosmos Magazine 06feb2019
