10 surprising seaweed facts
You might usually spot seaweed washed up on the shore, but there's so much more to this fascinating form of algae than meets the eye. Explore our top 10 facts that might just change the way you see this beach staple.
1. Sea otters use kelp to stop them floating away in their sleep
Mothers also wrap their pups in kelp to keep them safe while they're off hunting. Sea otter pups can't swim when they're born, but luckily their coat keeps them buoyant.
2. Sea urchins can be seen as kelp's arch enemy, destroying kelp forests
Sea urchins can destroy entire kelp forests at a rate of 9m per month by moving in herds. Sea otters play a key role in stabilising sea urchin populations by eating them - helping kelp forests thrive.
A herd of sea urchins slowly eating a kelp forest around an Australian reef
Credit: Stefan Andrews / Ocean Image Bank
3. Seaweed and other species such as phytoplankton make up roughly 70% of the oxygen we breathe
Rainforests make up 28% of oxygen production, while 2% comes from other sources.
4. Seaweed is sometimes used in vegetarian cooking to replace bacon
Researchers at Oregon State University grew a strain of seaweed that tastes like bacon when it’s fried! Not only does it taste delicious, but this patented strain of seaweed has twice the nutritional value of kale.
We now have a healthy, vegan alternative to bacon, all thanks to seaweed.
A close up of the bacon-tasting seaweed, a new strain of dulse seaweed; a red seaweed that grows in the wild along the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines
Credit: Oregon State University
5. Red seaweed is the most common colour of seaweed
Though you might imagine seaweed to be brown or green, there are actually more species of red seaweed than any other colour.
Approximately 11,000 species of red, green and brown seaweeds have been described to date but there are likely to be at least another 11,000 still undescribed.
6. Red seaweeds are the oldest known type of algae
Red algae fossils have been found embedded in mats of cyanobacteria, called stromatolites. They are the oldest plant-like fossils ever to be found.
They are thought to have been around for a whopping 1.6 billion years. This means they have seen the appearance of jellyfish, sharks and dinosaurs in their time on Earth. They have also survived all 5 major mass extinction events.
A species of red seaweed found on a beach
Credit: K Adams/Unsplash
7. The biggest seaweeds (giant kelp) can grow 60cm per day
That's the same as 2 regular sized rulers. Imagine how big they can grow in a year!
8. Seaweed is used in millions of everyday products
Thanks to their unique properties, seaweeds are used in cosmetics, fertilizer, emulsifiers, medicines and biofuels.
Your usual toothpaste is one product that might contain seaweed
Credit: helloimnik/unsplash
9. Many seaweeds are eaten all over the world for their health benefits
Seaweeds are a nutritious food source, eaten all over the world. They're low in fat and carbohydrate, but high in fibre, vitamins and minerals, such as iodine – a critical antioxidant which keeps your thyroid healthy.
10. Seaweed can help monitor the effects of environmental change
Seaweed is not only a superfood, it's an ocean hero too. Studying seaweeds can tell us a lot about wider ocean and environmental conditions ranging from rising temperatures, ocean acidification and the introduction of non-native species.
You can help by reporting the seaweed you find
By taking part in the Big Seaweed Search, you’ll be helping to gather vital evidence that can be used to map and document any changes to our coastal environments and advance our shared understanding of climate change.
When it comes to protecting our marine habitats and wildlife, your support can make a big difference.