First survey of kelp forests in South America since 1973 finds it unchanged

16 Mar 2020

First survey of kelp forests in South America since 1973 finds it unchanged

First survey of kelp forests in South America since 1973 finds it unchangedHere is some good news for those who care about the environment.

The kelp forests of Tierra del Fuego in South America were recently surveyed for the first time after 1973.

What is the good news?

Researchers found that this ecosystem has not changed in the last 45 years!
 	An ecosystem is a community of living organisms that interact with one another through nutrients and energy flows.

What are kelp forests?

Kelps are brown algae seaweeds that are used as food and shelter by many marine animals, such as fishes.
 	Kelp forests are underwater areas that have a high number of kelps.

Kelp forest in South America

Tierra del Fuego is the southernmost tip of South America.
 	The recent survey shows that the abundance of marine and sea animals in the forest has not changed since 1973.
 	Divers surveying the forest found the same number of kelp and other marine animals, such as sea urchins and sea stars, as before.
 	An even better news is that experts did not find urchin barrens. These are harmful sea urchins than can reduce the kelp levels.
 	Besides the divers, researchers also studied satellite data and imagery for the last 20 years.
 	Less human activity and the remote location has helped the forest to remain unchanged.

However, scientists warn that the forest is in danger from global climate changes.

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Here is some good news for those who care about the environment. The kelp forests of Tierra del Fuego in South America were recently surveyed […]

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