Planting kelp to protect erosion-prone coastlines
As sea levels rise and coastal cliffs erode, communities face mounting pressure to protect shorelines. Traditional solutions such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and stabilization structures are finite and often unpopular due to reduced beach access. Shallow-water artificial reefs present a promising, nature-based alternative by dissipating wave energy offshore while supporting recreation like surfing. This project explores how planting intertidal kelp on artificial reefs can further enhance their performance. By increasing biological roughness, kelp may amplify wave attenuation and promote sediment retention, while simultaneously creating habitat to support marine biodiversity. By planting kelp on artificial reefs in Pacifica, CA, the researchers will measure how kelp reduces wave energy and deliver recommendations to local stakeholders for more effective coastal infrastructure.