Rapid: preserving kelp biodiversity during super-EL-nino, and developing AI-based restoration guidance

The National Science Foundation Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded $200,000 to Altaseeds Conservancy (Kelp Ark – The Global Macroalgae Seedbank) on July 15, 2026, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074).

Kelp Ark will conduct rapid field collections of kelp samples across eight distinct sites within three biogeographic areas along the California coast, focusing on kelp forest-forming species. The team will coordinate with researchers and conservation groups to facilitate logistics and collect specimens. Collected samples will be processed in laboratory conditions to isolate gametophytes, which will be preserved in ex-situ seedbanking conditions for perpetual storage and future availability to support research, conservation, and kelp farming recovery efforts. The newly created stocks will be cataloged into Kelp Ark's open-access artificial-intelligence enhanced database system, KARA, which provides information on current seedbanked holdings, past project methods, and findings. Kelp Ark will engage in public outreach through the California Seaweed Festival and contribute to an aquaculture program at USC. The project runs through June 30, 2027, with place of performance in San Pedro, California. The award directly addresses threats to kelp forests from increasingly severe El Niño conditions and aligns with NSF priority areas in biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Abstract

Kelp forests are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems on earth, supporting marine life, coastal economies, and emerging sustainable industries. However, the increasingly severe EL NI?O southern oscillation (ENSO) immediately threatens these underwater forests with widespread decline. With this project, kelpark is working to rapidly respond and safeguard kelp biodiversity by preserving living kelp, creating a vital resource to help restore kelp forests, strengthen coastal resilience, and support future scientific and technological innovation. With this project, kelpark will engage in public outreach via the california seaweed festival and will contribute to a practical aquaculture program at USC. The kelp ARK team will coordinate and perform field collections of kelps along the coast of california, engaging with researchers and conservation groups to facilitate logistics. The team will travel and collect samples along eight distinct sites within three biogeographic areas focusing on kelp forest forming species. Once these samples are collected, they will be processed in laboratory conditions which will enable the release and isolation of gametophytes to be kept in EX-situ seedbanking conditions in perpetuity and be made readily available for any future research and conservation or kelp farming recovery efforts. These newly created stocks will be assessed into kelp ARK?S open access artificial-intelligence enhanced database system, kara. The kara AI has the capabilities of giving useful information on the current holdings of kelp ARK?S seedbanked materials as well as past projects? Methods and findings. This project is aligned well with NSF priority areas of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.