A tropical kelp forest of “enormous importance” has been found in the Galapagos Islands, harbouring potential for massive carbon sequestration
As a huge win for the environment, a tropical kelp forest, which is a type of algae usually only found in colder waters, has been found south of the Galapagos Islands.
Led by the Charles Darwin Foundation, researchers discovered an extensive kelp forest on the summit of a seamount, at depths of ~ 50 m, conducted in collaboration with the Galapagos National Park Directorate and National Geographic.
The significance of this new ecosystem, published in the scientific journal Marine Biology, lies in a new kelp species record for the region – and for science – and is vital for the maintenance of marine biodiversity.
Kelp forests provide protection and food for many species
Kelps are brown algal seaweeds, famous for reaching very large sizes, which form marine forests in high densities. Similar to coral reefs and mangroves, these forests are vastly important for carbon sequestration and ecological diversity.
As kelps are cold-water species, most of these kelp forests are found exclusively in warm-cold or polar regions and shallow coastal areas because they need constant light.
However, this kelp forest of the Galapagos Marine Reserve is located in a tropical region away from coastal areas.
Explains Salomé Buglass, CDF scientist and lead researcher, said: “This is the first time that such an extensive and dense kelp forest has been registered in this part of the Galapagos and at such depths, since what we found looks very different from the Eisenia galapagensis kelp species, discovered in this area in 1934.”
Salomé adds that it is almost twice the normal size.
Characterizing the deep-sea ecosystems
As standard scuba diving is restricted to depths of 40 meters, CDF’s research teams relied on new technologies, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), to explore, document and characterize these deep-sea ecosystems.
After installing a mechanical claw to the ROV, researchers were able to analyse specimens of this newly registered alga, “which is essential to determine its taxonomy and is still under study”.
“The macroalgae of this area have been widely ignored among the marine ecosystems of the archipelago”
“Despite their enormous importance as ecosystem engineers and as support for the fascinating marine life of the Galapagos Islands, the macroalgae of this area have been widely ignored among the marine ecosystems of the archipelago”, says Altamirano. “This discovery offers the opportunity to highlight its significance as habitat for other species and their role in carbon sequestration within deep-sea areas”.
The scientists conclude that knowing that there are entire marine forests teeming with life that we were unaware of at only 50 m depth, serves as a reminder of how much remains to be explored, discovered, learned and protected.
