For #PhycologyFriday, some views from the annual Pacific herring spawn dive surveys I’m working this year, exemplifying the importance of seaweeds as fish habitat! Seen in Toquaht and Huu-ay-aht territories, west Vancouver Island
For #PhycologyFriday, check out this Giant Kelp gametophyte culture growing here at Blue Futures Kelp! Grown from spores collected in T’Sou’ke territory here on Vancouver Island, and propagating for conservation, education, and potential future research and restoration.
#kelp #restoration #vanisle
A new publication coauthored by Blue Future Kelp’s @claysteell.bsky.social is out, exploring the growing practice of #biobanking kelps for conservation & restoration. Read more below! 🌊 #PhycologyFriday #kelp
A huge thank you to Ocean Wise for supporting this work, and to my friend and longtime collaborator Dr. Lauren Dykman for volunteering to collect this kelp with me!
By creating gametophyte cultures from these Giant Kelp growing at the edge of its range into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, this Ocean Action Grant funded project ensures their unique genotype is conserved as we move into a warmer future, & can be made available for future restoration if needed!
Recent research I’ve supported shows that some at-risk range-edge kelp populations have unique genotypes that may be critical for restoring kelp forests in a warming ocean, as we’ve shown that different genotypes within a kelp species can be more or less tolerant to stressors like high temperature.
Earlier this fall, I was awarded an Ocean Action Grant by Ocean Wise to set up a gametophyte culturing lab & collect spores from a potentially vulnerable population of Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) for long term bio-banking! #kelp #kelpforest #conservation #restoration #ocean
Earlier this month, BFK ushered in the winter with its first diving contract 🤿 Using the @reeflifesurvey.bsky.social method, we collected biodiversity data for a client & their First Nation partner monitoring kelp / urchin barren dynamics, & also gathered urchin samples
#kelp #kelpforest #urchin
Thrilled to share what I’ve been working on lately: launching @bluefutureskelp.bsky.social! Ever since returning to phycology 5 years ago & researching #kelp restoration, I've been hooked, & I’m grateful to be continuing it in this new capacity. Follow along for updates & more kelpy content 🌊
Introducing Blue Futures Kelp, a new venture to restore kelp forests & advance restoration science in the northeast Pacific Ocean! Based in the unceded territories of Lekwungen peoples (Victoria, BC, Canada). Follow along to learn more!
#kelp #kelpforest #restoration #SalishSea #vanisle
