Marine heat waves threaten kelp forests
Nur Arafeh‐Dalmau, David S. Schoeman, Gabriela Montaño‐Moctezuma, Fiorenza Micheli, Laura Rogers‐Bennett, Carolina Olguín‐Jacobson, Hugh P. Possingham
Abstract
Marine kelp forests, among the most productive ecosystems on our planet, are in danger. The increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events such as marine heat waves is compromising kelp forests' capacity to produce goods and services (such as biomass of commercial fisheries, coastal protection, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and recreational opportunities) that are worth billions of dollars to humanity. However, despite increasing climate-change advocacy and the overwhelming evidence demonstrating social and ecological impacts of climate change, political denial and inaction are jeopardizing society's ability to respond adequately to the multifaceted consequences of the accelerating pace of climate-driven loss of marine forests.