INTERIM ACTION PLAN for Protecting and Restoring California’s Kelp Forests

Executive Summary

Kelp forests are fundamental to California’s marine biodiversity and its ocean economy. Both giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), a perennial alga that dominates in southern and central California, and bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), an annual alga that dominates in northern California, are foundational species that provide a variety of ecological functions and ecosystem services. In general, California’s nearshore environment has supported healthy kelp forests for decades; satellite imagery dating back to 1984 shows significant interannual variability but astable overall trend in kelp canopy area across the state prior to the onset of a marine heatwave in 2014. The marine heatwave had variable effects on kelp in each of California’s major geographic regions: northern California (California/Oregon border to San Francisco Bay), central California (San Francisco Bay to Point Conception), and southern California (Point Conception to the California/Mexico border, including the Channel Islands). Bull kelp forests in northern California were devastated, experiencing greater than 95% loss in kelp canopy from 2014 to 2019 and limited recovery in 2020. Giant kelp forests in central California have exhibited patchy declines since 2014, but no discernible region-wide trend. The marine heatwave generally had no strong effects on giant kelp forests in southern California.

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