Growth in Nurseries

Kelp nurseries can serve as the first cradle for these ocean giants. Here, environmental conditions such as temperature, light, and nutrient levels are delicately managed to provide the optimal setting for young kelp spores. Shielded from predators and other natural perils, these nurseries act as sanctuaries during the vulnerable early stages of kelp development. Beyond protection, nurseries enable the cultivation of a diverse range of kelp genotypes, fostering genetic diversity crucial for the resilience of restored kelp populations.

‍

Efficient Harvesting and Propagation

In the nursery, spores are attached to substrates, in the case of our kelp restoration taking place on the Sunshine Coast, this means long lines of twine and gravel. With time, the spores grow into tiny kelp sporophytes. As the young kelp reaches an optimal size in the nursery, efficient harvesting becomes possible.

‍

The mass propagation approach employed in nurseries is a cost-effective method, especially vital for large-scale restoration projects requiring a substantial number of kelp to rejuvenate damaged or depleted kelp forests.

‍

‍

The Outplanting Process

Once the young plants are ready for transplantation, it’s time to hit the waters. Recently, this meant our team, joined by a team of experts from Coastal Kelp, ventured out into the choppy Pacific seas to plant over 350,000 kelp sporophytes. The team carefully unspooled the seeded lines along the shores of the chosen restoration sites, attaching the line to anchors they had prepared earlier in the season. Along with our planting partners, veritree has worked with local communities along selected coastal areas to not only certify the rights to plant this kelp, but to also ensure the water depth, temperature, and ecosystems will allow for the best possible chances of success for the transplanted kelp.

‍

‍

Monitoring and Natural Growth

Post-transplantation, the watchful eye of veritree and our ground-level technology comes into play. Ongoing monitoring becomes crucial to assess the success of restoration efforts. For veritree, this means hydro vision and water quality sensors coupled with data from geospatial analysis applied to our baseline and reference sites.  Regular checks for the health and growth of the kelp and surrounding ecosystem, as well as addressing issues such as predation or competition with other species, contribute to the success of these restoration initiatives.

‍

What’s Next

As the kelp establishes itself in the restoration site, it undergoes natural growth and reproduction cycles. Mature kelp sporophytes produce spores, continuing the life cycle. Success will see the growing kelp population integrate into the marine ecosystem, providing habitat and sustenance for various marine organisms. For now, our team will keep a watch through the help of eyes and ears in the sea, with the goal of revisiting the sites in the Spring for further inspection.

‍