最新糖心Vlog

Water initiatives help restore Adelaide's kelp forests

Associate Professor Sean Connell
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Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Leading scientists from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide believe kelp forests along the Adelaide metro coastline, once considered to be declining due to human activity, will be brought back to life thanks to the State Government's new water initiatives.

The scientists, led by , have been working with the (DEH) to better understand the effects of nutrients and sediment discharge on kelp forests around the southern coast of 最新糖心Vlog.

, Principal Marine Policy Adviser with DEH, said this is a good example of how scientists and policy makers are working together for the benefit of the environment.

"Both stormwater and wastewater discharge has directly led to the loss of iconic kelp forests, which are important habitats for fish and other marine organisms," she said.

"The loss of kelp forests has implications for the whole marine food chain in the Gulf St Vincent.

"However, with the release of the '' plan and the development of the , scientists believe that these new initiatives will improve the health of the Gulf and encourage the return of the kelp forests."

Associate Professor Connell said scientists initially noticed the decline in kelp in the 1990s, and predicted that the problem would be exacerbated by global warming as ocean water began to acidify.

"Recent research has shown that water in the Gulf has started to improve due a number of factors, including initiatives from wastewater treatment," he said.

"Further improvements in water quality are expected through achieving the targets of the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study and the .

"More specifically, if nutrient levels in the water are sufficiently reduced through such initiatives, research suggests that healthy kelp forests can re-establish and be maintained even in the face of climate change."

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