Restoration Objective:

The aim of restoration was to reseed kelps where they had exhibited little or no recovery in order to improve biological and commercial outcomes.

Site Selection Criteria:

Transplant sites were selected where giant kelp was once present. Ideal transplant sites had many attachment points, no competing macroalgae and were in less than 13m of water.

Cause Of Decline:

Historically, beds of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) along the Orange County coastline were dense and covered much of the available rocky substrate from the shallow subtidal area down to 20m and deeper. These beds supported a diverse assortment of fish, invertebrates, and other plants, many of which were of significant interest to commercial and sport fisherman. The warm waters brought by the El Niño of 1982-1983 caused the loss of most giant kelp stands leaving only a few surviving patches along the Orange County shoreline. Additional stressors to kelp populations included urbanisation, low water quality, storms and overfishing.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Heatwave

Scientific Paper

Orange County Kelp Restoration Project

M.B.C.Applied Environmental Sciences

p.93.

Organisation:

MBC Aquatic

Site Observations:

Observation Date

22nd Jun 1988 – 29th Sep 1989

Action Summary:

Adult and juvenile Macrocystis pyrifera plants were transported from the donor site quickly, covered in a tarp and kept cool and moist. Juveniles were also grown in lab culture. Kelps were attached using rope sewn through the holdfast with needles. Adult and juvenile kelps were transplanted to 12 sites. Sites were monitored, maintained, and sometimes expanded with additional juvenile kelps over three years.

Lessons Learned:

Restoration was unsuccessful due to the presence of competing macroalgae. Many other sites selected were urchin barrens in order to combat this.

Project Outcomes:

In Upcoast Reef Point, no plants were seen from the surface during a final survey in August 1989.

Nature of Disturbance:

A competing macroalgae reduced available space for giant kelp regeneration.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Heatwave

Indicator Data:

Indicator:	Ending Value:	Starting Value:
Adult Kelp Count	0.0000	82.0000

MBC Aquatic - Upcoast Reef Point

MBC Aquatic - Upcoast Reef Point

Restoration Project

MBC Aquatic - Upcoast Reef Point

Restoration Objective:

Site Selection Criteria:

Cause Of Decline:

Heatwave

Orange County Kelp Restoration Project

Organisation:

MBC Aquatic

Site Observations:

22nd Jun 1988 – 29th Sep 1989

Action Summary:

Lessons Learned:

Project Outcomes:

Nature of Disturbance:

Heatwave

Indicator Data:

Indicator:

Ending Value:

Starting Value:

Adult Kelp Count

4. Supports Ecosystem Recovery Processes

6. Seeks The Highest Level Of Ecosystem Recovery Possible