Could the oceans be reforested?

Eco-talk on best practices in ocean ecosystem restoration. Marine vegetated ecosystems – mangrove and kelp forests, saltmarsh and seagrass beds - are essential for life on the planet. These habitats draw down huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, and deliver range of ecosystem services including (1) mitigation of climate change, (2) improving water quality, (3) regeneration of fish habitat, with consequential significant restoration and later enhancement to fishery biomass, (4) improved nursery function, and (5) deliver food provisioning for many communities. However, we are losing these essential ecosystems rapidly due to exploitation and climate disruption. These losses magnify issues associated with climate change, and the increase of habitat loss only serves to exacerbate the sixth mass extinction. We have seen between 80 to 90 % loss of kelp forests spanning Canada to Norway. Both speakers have hands on experience on how to restore marine ecosystems and thus reverting climate change and restoring ocean health.WHAT could be done? Both speakers have common passion and objectives – to rewild the seas and oceans and both have hands on experience in doing that.

Target audience

Colleagues directly working with biodiversity, bioeconomy, research, environment, climate, innovation as well as anyone interested in practical solutions on how to restore ocean ecosystems.

Learning objectives

By end of the session the participants will learn what are practical and workable solutions to restore ocean health by exploiting coastal ecosystem restoration methods and techniques.

03 Feb 2021
01:00
03 Feb 2021
01:00

Online event

Online only

Attend event

Language

en

Level

Novice

Related topics

Speakers

Dr Brian von Herzen

Executive Director

Climate Foundation

We do not usually speak of oceans and forests in the same sentence, but what if you could reforest oceans?

Dr Iain Hendy

Head of Conservation

Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE)

There is still a chance to bring back the kelp forest.