Southward decrease in the protection of persistent giant kelp forests in the northeast Pacific

Kelp forests are globally important and highly productive ecosystems, yet their persistence and protection in the face of climate change and human activity are poorly known. Here, we present a 35-year time series of high-resolution satellite imagery that maps the distribution and persistence of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests along ten degrees of latitude in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. We find that although 7.7% of giant kelp is protected by marine reserves, when accounting for persistence only 4% of kelp is present and protected. Protection of giant kelp decreases southerly from 20.9% in Central California, USA, to less than 1% in Baja California, Mexico, which likely exacerbates kelp vulnerability to marine heatwaves in Baja California. We suggest that a two-fold increase in the area of kelp protected by marine reserves is needed to fully protect persistent kelp forests and that conservation of climate-refugia in Baja California should be a priority. Giant kelp forests in the Northeast Pacific Ocean are inadequately represented in marine protected areas, which increases their vulnerability to marine heatwaves, according to a 35-year satellite image time series.

Automated summary

The study reveals that giant kelp forests in the Northeast Pacific Ocean are inadequately protected in marine reserves, with insufficient coverage to ensure their persistence, especially in Baja California where protection levels are low, making them vulnerable to marine heatwaves.