Kelp Habitat
Kelp creates dense marine forests that are equivalent to a terrestrial rainforest in its ability to provide habitat for hundreds of species and thousands of individuals, as well as its ability to take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, from it, produce oxygen.
Kelp beds provide a buffer that protects the shoreline during strong, winter storms.
On the east coast of Vancouver Island, Bull kelp is the predominant species; with Giant Kelp forming large beds on the west coast.
Located at the base of the Bull kelp is a root-like holdfast that attaches the plant to the rocky bottom. The stem-like stipe reaches to the surface and grows up to 36 m or 118' in one season. At the top is a bulb-like feature that contains gases that allows it to float. Extending from this bulb are the many blades that, in the fall, produce and release spores for the reproduction of the plant.
Like an annual plant in the garden, Bull kelp lives for only one season and is washed away during heavy winter storms.
Kelp: large seaweeds (algae) belonging to the brown algae (class Phaeophyceae) and are classified as the order Laminariales.
Eelgrass: (Zostera marina and Zostera japonica) is a small genus of widely distributed seagrass.
Groyne: a breakwater; a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away.
Salmonids: is a family of ray-finned fish that includes salmon, trout, chars, freshwater whitefishes and graylings
Bull kelp: Nereocystis (Greek for "mermaid's bladder") leutkeana
Giant kelp: Macrocystis pyrifera