With your support - we work with Operation Crayweed and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science to restore the lost kelp forests along the South Bondi subtidal rocky reef in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Kelp (locally known in Australia as Crayweed) is among the most important ecosystems on the planet, providing critical food and habitat for hundreds of species. These vast underwater forests support coastal food webs, sequester immense amounts of atmospheric carbon, produce oxygen for marine life, and support unique coastal biodiversity, which is not supported by any other seaweed species.
Each sq-ft of crayweed you restore helps by:
bringing back a critical underwater forest habitat
contributing to the recovery of economically important species like abalone and crayfish
sequestering atmospheric carbon
improving water quality
reestablishing coastal food webs
protecting coastal communities by stabilizing the coast and reducing wave action
Sustainable Development Goals addressed by the project.
Crayweed is among the most important ecosystems on the planet, providing critical food and habitat for hundreds of species. These vast underwater forests support coastal food webs, sequester immense amounts of atmospheric carbon, produce oxygen for marine life, and support unique coastal biodiversity, which is not supported by any other seaweed species.
Key Impact Metrics
This project:
Restores the locally extinct species of Phyllospora comosa, known locally as 'Crayweed.'
Has transplanted 20 sq-m of crayweed (~400 crayweed adults) onto Sydney’s reefs so far.
Engages local community members and increases the potential for the preservation of marine environments for generations to come.
Provides ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, oxygen production, coastal and habitat protection, and supports unique coastal biodiversity.
Improves ocean aesthetics, custodianship, engagement, and education to promote ocean protection.
Protects critical species such as wrasse, parma, abalone, lobster and herring.
Zero Hunger
The Sydney crayweed forests support economically important species targetted by commercial and recreational fishers, including abalone and lobster. By restoring crayweed forests, this project enhances the habitat for these species, with a potential link to food security.
Quality Education
This project engages with younger members of the community through education activities in local schools, including Balgowlah, Clovelly and Avalon Public Schools in Sydney, as well as during National Science Week.
Gender Equality
Operation Crayweed and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science employ several women who are key to the research and conservation efforts of this project. Operation Crayweed also runs community engagement and education activities that empower women and girls in the local areas.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Though not directly, a key aspect of urban resilience and sustainability is the maintenance and enhancement of native biodiversity and habitat, which this project implements by restoring crayweed forests along Sydney’s coastline, the largest city in Australia.
Climate Action
Kelp forests play an important role in sequestering CO2 around the world. Globally, kelp forests sequester as much CO2 as the world's mangrove forests. Additionally, the Sydney kelp forests are among the most important ecosystems on the planet, providing critical food and habitat for hundreds of species.
Life Below Water
A key scientific aspect of this project is that we use our understanding of the genetic makeup of populations to restore in order to enhance the genetic diversity (and thus potential resilience) of restored populations. Our current scientific research aims to determine which genotypes/populations of crayweed (and their microbiomes) can be used to build resilience of these forests into the future.
These vast underwater forests support coastal food webs, sequester immense amounts of atmospheric carbon, produce oxygen for marine life, and support unique coastal biodiversity, which is not supported by any other seaweed species.
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