Photo: Kelp RISES

Kelp RISES Research Group

Sunday, October 5, 2025
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Noyo Center for Marine Science Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg

Learn about the Kelp RISES research into the question: how might different kelp restoration approaches account for ongoing climate change?

This presentation focuses on the latest activities of the Kelp RISES Research Group , which explores the question: how might different kelp restoration approaches account for ongoing climate change? To this end, the group is integrating (1) social science research methods to understand human connections to and priorities for kelp systems, (2) oceanographic data and ecological field studies to understand the natural drivers of kelp resilience, and (3) a combination of bio-economic models and network analysis to identify optimal approaches and barriers to achieving the optimal outcomes. The presentation provides an overview of the project as well as recent findings from four pieces: (1) interviews to elucidate the human dimensions of the kelp ecosystem on the Mendocino Coast, (2) experiments and field observations on how freshwater input from rivers affects urchin grazing on kelp, (3) a model to explore different approaches to kelp restoration under future climate change (research that also motivates the …all dripping in tangles green… performance on Saturday), and (4) network analysis of the interactions between people and kelp forests in Mendocino and beyond. A Q&A discussion time will conclude the event.

There is no fee for this presentation, but please let us know you are coming: