Book review: Forest of the Sea:

Kelp is large brown seaweed that grow in shallow, nutrient-rich coastal waters. Forming dense underwater forests, they act as vital marine habitats, protect coastlines from erosion, and are globally important for sequestering carbon to help mitigate climate change.

However, warming oceans are threatening these undersea forests. Helvarg's calls to arms undercovers kelp's hidden plight.  Often overshadowed by coral reef bleaching, these massive underwater canopies of brown seaweed are quietly vanishing from shallow, nutrient-rich coastal waters. 

Kelp is also useful for humans. Kelp fertiliser is particularly beneficial for improving soil quality, boosting its fertility and structure, which in turn supports stronger root development.

Aquaculture produces 130m tonnes of biomass annually, compared to 90m tonnes of wild biomass fished annually. Kelp and other seaweed makes up 40m tonnes of farmed biomass, the fastest growing area of aquaculture.

Kelp can also be used as agar, for cosmetics and as a food stabiliser. The farmed kelp gets its nutrients from the seawater, as opposed to land-farmed crops which need inputs. The hotbed is in the Far East and one of the the main foods produced is sushi wrapping. Putting aside risks including disease transmission, genetic pollution, and microbiome dysbiosis, cultivation raises awareness of seaweed's value to humans.

The book brilliantly illustrates the multifaceted brilliance of kelp. These dense aquatic jungles are not merely scenery. They are vital marine habitats supporting thousands of species, crucial buffers protecting our coastlines from erosion, and massive global carbon sinks: "To lose our kelp forests is to lose one of the ocean's most potent defenses against a changing climate."

Ultimately, this is a powerful, eye-opening read. Helvarg transitions seamlessly from devastating data to stories of hope, highlighting the scientists and activists fighting to restore these vital ecosystems. It is an essential wake-up call for anyone blind to the crisis brewing just beneath the surface.