A growing body of research is trying to answer a deceptively hard question: what is a kelp forest actually worth? Recent global estimates put the value of the ecosystem services kelp forests provide at somewhere in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year, and researchers say even that is likely an undercount.
The figure isn’t just about carbon. It bundles together several services at once: carbon storage as kelp absorbs CO₂ through photosynthesis, coastal protection as dense stands soften incoming waves, and habitat: kelp forests support commercial fisheries for species like cod and lobster that shelter and feed among the fronds.
Food security is part of the picture too. Kelp itself is nutrient-dense, rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, and is increasingly farmed and used in food products, particularly across Asia, alongside its long-standing role in coastal diets and traditions worldwide.
Researchers caution that these figures are still early estimates, and vary a lot by region and method. But the direction of travel is consistent: as more studies come in, kelp forests keep looking more valuable, not less.
Further reading: Eger, A.M. et al., “The value of ecosystem services in global marine kelp forests,” Nature Communications (2023).