Can We Help With Kelp Kelp forests, one of the planet's most productive and diverse ecosystems, are under threat due to climate change, ocean warming, and overgrazing by sea urchins. This has led to a significant decline or complete disappearance of these forests in some regions, such as Australia, with severe consequences for the biodiversity and economy of the Great Southern Reef. Various methods are being explored by scientists and conservationists to restore and protect these crucial ecosystems. These include transplanting kelp from healthy donor sites, selectively breeding heat-tolerant kelp strains, and deploying artificial reefs to provide substrate and shelter for kelp and other marine life. However, finding suitable locations and conditions for kelp growth and survival is a challenge. While artificial reefs can offer some of the requirements, they may not always be effective or suitable for the local environment. They can also be expensive, difficult to install and maintain, and potentially harmful to existing marine life. A promising approach to kelp forest restoration involves the use of man-made seaweed reefs. These reefs, made of biodegradable mesh cubes seeded with native kelp species and weighted with recycled rocks, mimic the natural structure and function of kelp forests. Deployed in areas where kelp forests have been lost or degraded, they provide a temporary scaffold for kelp growth and establishment. Over time, the kelp forms a canopy that shades and protects the reef, creating a complex habitat for various marine species. The mesh cubes eventually degrade, leaving behind a self-sustaining kelp forest. This method has been successfully tested in several locations worldwide, including the UK, Norway, and Australia, showing promising results in terms of kelp survival, growth, and diversity. Man-made seaweed reefs are relatively low-cost, easy to deploy and monitor, and environmentally friendly. They also have the potential to enhance the ecosystem services and benefits of kelp forests, such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and fisheries production. However, man-made seaweed reefs are not a panacea for kelp forest restoration. They face challenges and limitations, such as suitability for areas with high wave energy, strong currents, or sedimentation, which can dislodge or bury the cubes. They may also require ongoing management and protection from human activities that can damage or disturb the reefs. Furthermore, they may not be sufficient to cope with the increasing frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, which can cause mass mortality of kelp and other marine organisms. Therefore, man-made seaweed reefs should be considered a complementary tool for kelp forest restoration, not a replacement for natural kelp forests. They should be accompanied by other measures, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing kelp resilience and adaptation, and restoring kelp predators and herbivores, to ensure the long-term survival and recovery of kelp forests and the Great Southern Reef. This approach underscores the importance of a comprehensive strategy for the restoration and preservation of these vital ecosystems.