Last updated: September 2024
Seaweeds are of immense value to marine ecosystems, and Kelp, the largest of them all, forms spectacular underwater forests that provide habitat for fish, clean the water, and sequester carbon. Unfortunately, large swathes of these subaquatic forests have disappeared from the coasts of many European countries, including Portugal (Ref. 2). The "Sea Forester" project in Cascais aims to restore local kelp forests, which are essential for marine biodiversity and carbon sequestration. In collaboration with the Câmara Municipal de Cascais and Mossy Earth (social enterprise), the project assesses the historical and current state of seaweed populations and identifies environmental stressors. It employs innovative techniques like the "green gravel" method to restore kelp ecosystems. This project supports the region’s blue economy and resilience to climate change through carbon offsetting and enhanced ecosystem services (Ref 1; 6; 7). Supported by the EEA Innovation Grant, it combines scientific research and community engagement, positioning Cascais as a leader in marine conservation efforts (Ref 6).
Sea Forester Biologist at work.
https://www.seaforester.org/projects
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastlines
- Other
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Marine and coastal biodiversity protection
- Marine and coastal research and/or education
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Poor water quality
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Over-exploitation of natural resources (water resources, overgrazing, fisheries, mangroves, fore products)
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows), Improving coastal resilience, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Restoration of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs
Project objectives
1. Restore Kelp Forests: Recover and reestablish local kelp populations along the Cascais coastline. (Ref 1)
2. Enhance Marine Biodiversity: Support the restoration of marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. (Ref 1)
3. Carbon Sequestration: Mitigate climate change by promoting forestation, which increases carbon capture (Ref 4).
4. Assess Environmental Stressors: Identify and address factors inhibiting natural kelp recovery (Ref 6).
5. Test Innovative Techniques: Implement and evaluate innovative methods, such as the "green gravel" technique, for effective deforestation (Ref 4).
Implementation activities
1. Baseline assessment of kelp populations. (Ref 1)
2. Identification of environmental stressors inhibiting kelp recovery. (Ref 1)
3. Testing of innovative restoration methods such as green gravel (in-lab growing of green gravel as small, seeded rocks using Laminaria ochroleuca, to be later on spread in the ocean floor for natural reflorestation) (Ref 4).
6. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of restoration success (Ref 3).
The Sea Forester project restores kelp forests in Cascais to reverse biodiversity loss and boost carbon sequestration, contributing to climate mitigation.
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Protect and restore coastal wetlands, mangroves and salt marshes, aiming at sequestering carbon dioxide and storing it in their soils
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
- Coastal-dependent communities (e.g. small-scale fishers, coastal farmers, and indigenous peoples)
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The initiative is carried out by Sea Forester (implementation and management work). Overall, the project cooperates with local communities and the Câmara Municipal de Cascais, and during the several project phases, it involves close partnerships with NGOs, universities, scientific research institutes, and social enterprises (Ref 1). The full list of actors and project phases includes:
(1) Kelp restoration trial:
Actors: Sea Forester, Clube Naval de Cascais (local maritime club) (Ref. 1)
Funding: Mossy Earth (Ref. 1)
(2) Green Gravel Portugal:
Actors: Sea Forester, Instituto Politecnico de Leiria (educational actor), MARE (center for scientific research)
Funding: WWF
(3) Seaforest Portugal:
Actors: Sea Forester, CIIMAR, CCMAR, Universidade da Madeira, Politecnico de Leiria, Universidade de Evora, MARE.
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, NBS research project (e.g., H2020, Urban Living Labs, national research projects)
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
Source(s) of funding
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
- Crowdfunding
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
- Donations
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Expected enhanced carbon sequestration
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Expected reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Unknown
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
SeaForester (n.d.). Seaforest Cascais. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Mossy Earth (n.d.). Kelp Restoration Trial. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Mossy Earth (2023). Our Kelp Forest Has Sprung to Life! - here’s how we did it. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Mossy Earth (2021). Bringing back the Lost Kelp Forests of Europe - Project Vlog. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Araújo, R. M.; et al (2016). Status, trends and drivers of kelp forests in Europe: an expert assessment. Biodiversity and Conservation, Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
6.
EEAGrants (n.d.). SeaForester. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Sea Forester (2019). SeaForester initiates feasibility project to assess the potential for seaforestation in Cascais. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
Kelp Forest
Ref. 6
Kelp Forest
Ref. 2
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.