New England is a kelpy wonderland. Along our local shores, we have rolling meadows of kelp full of crabs, lobsters and more. Kelp beds, kelp meadows, and kelp forests are also found in one quarter of the world’s coastal areas. They provide food for humans and fish alike, alter shorelines, and shape the temperate reefs around them. Unfortunately these big beautiful cold-water algae have started to respond to changes in water temperature and wave action. Dr. Byrnes will address why kelp is important and what changes may be in store for the future.
Dr. Jarrett Byrnes is an Assistant Professor of Biology at UMass Boston.
msl080915ap2.mp3
Byres Q&A.
