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 the benefits associated with intertidal kelp to artificial reefs that mitigate shoreline erosion. By increasing biological roughness, kelp may amplify wave attenuation and promote sediment retention, while simultaneously creating habitat to support marine biodiversity. This project will develop and refine methods for kelp cultivation on surfaces like concrete to inform future artificial reef design. The researchers will measure how kelp reduces wave energy and deliver recommendations to local stakeholders for more effective coastal infrastructure in vulnerable communities like Pacifica, CA.