In the latest episode of Rising Tide David and Blue Frontier’s Natasha Benjamin talk with Reef Check Executive Director Jan Freiwald. For 30 years his organization has been developing citizen science projects to survey and protect both coral reefs and kelp forests around the world. Jan, who studied marine biology in Germany before moving on to complete his PhD on Marine Protected Areas in California talks with us about the differences between coral and kelp, the threats they both face from a warming ocean, how they’re growing their pool of volunteers through training young people who might not otherwise have access to scuba diving and how El Nino and the next marine heatwave might impact kelp forests (and corals) and how people will respond. So, dive in with us on this latest and highly informative Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast.
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Reef Check — Saving reefs worldwide & empowering people to save our reefs and oceans. Let’s work together to create a sustainable future through education, research, and conservation.
If Kelp Were Redwoods, Outrage Would Echo Across the Globe
In a world where vibrant life forms beneath the ocean's surface are often overlooked, the depletion of nature's underwater forests goes unnoticed. Yet, if majestic redwoods were to disappear from their sentinel posts along the northern California coast, the outcry would be deafening. Why then, asks marine conservationist Jan Freiwald, does the near-eradication of kelp forests not inspire the same urgency?
Jan Freiwald illuminates an unsettling reality: it took a decade for the world to realize that these vital ocean ecosystems were vanishing without a trace. While redwoods stand tall above ground, drawing admiration and concern, kelp forests sway in ocean currents unseen, their significance often overshadowed by towering trees.
Investigating this disparity, David Helvarg reveals an alarming lack of public awareness. People are more inclined to volunteer for initiatives preserving coral reefs than those focused on kelp forests. This imbalance raises important questions. How does the deficit in knowledge and awareness influence daily conservation efforts? Despite the crucial role kelp forests play in marine biodiversity, their plight remains overshadowed.
Efforts like Reef Check strive to bridge this gap in public consciousness. But the journey is fraught with challenges. For every enthusiastic hand lent to coral reef preservation, there is a need for greater engagement in safeguarding the kelp's habitat.
Through his investigations, Helvarg unveils a critical call to action: to change perception and rally support for all vulnerable ecosystems, whether they flourish under sunlight or sea. Should the world remain passive, we risk not only losing vital underwater forests but also a rich biodiversity that sustains life across the planet. Redwoods or kelp, the cause of conservation remains universal, and it deserves our collective voice and action.