Giant Kelp Forest

The underwater forests of the Pacific that grow up to 60 cm per day/Nature & Natural Wonders

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forms towering underwater forests along temperate Pacific coastlines, growing from the seafloor to the surface where fronds form a dense canopy. Individual kelp plants can reach 45-60 m in length and grow at rates of up to 60 cm per day, making giant kelp one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth. A typical kelp forest covers several square kilometers along the coast and provides habitat for over 1,000 species including sea otters, garibaldi fish, and countless invertebrates.