The Ocean's Forest – Life in the Kelp

Mission Earth, Nature & Wildlife, Science 52' 2025 4K

Stretching along the picturesque coast of South Africa is one of the most fascinating yet little-known ecosystems on Earth: the kelp forest.

Composed of meter-long brown algae, it stores as much CO2 as the Amazon rainforest.

The kelp forest is home to countless plant and animal species and a true haven of biodiversity: Creatures ranging from crabs and starfish to small sharks and octopuses find shelter among the kelp.

Kelp is also a healthy source of food which is why the brown algae is currently enjoying a surge in popularity in South Africa. Roushanna Gray develops seaweed-based recipes to introduce the public to this marine vegetable – with remarkable success.

But the kelp forest is threatened by climate change. Ocean warming leads to declines in algae in some parts of the world.

A worrying development for scientist Dr. Rob Anderson. He has spent more than 40 years studying the kelp forest ecosystem in South Africa. Each dive leaves him in awe of the kelp forest’s extraordinary diversity and beauty. 

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