Seascapes

Seascapes are interconnected marine ecosystems—like kelp forests and coral reefs—that play a key role in biodiversity, carbon storage, and coastal protection.

A seascape refers to a spatially heterogeneous area of the ocean composed of interacting habitats, species populations, and natural features shaped by both ecological processes and human influence. Kelp forests and coral reefs are just two examples of seascapes.

Seascapes as Dynamic Marine Networks

Far from just being a feature in the ocean, a seascape represents an entire network of marine ecosystems, connected by the movement of species, energy, and nutrients. Much like familiar landscapes on land, seascapes are often defined by their diversity, internal structures, and scale. Seascapes also serve as an indicator of oceanic health and a key mechanism in regulating climate.

Why Seascapes Matter for Ocean Health

Ecologically intact seascapes are critical for maintaining both marine biodiversity and the global marine ecosystem. They support the function and resilience of these through:

Carbon Cycling and Sequestration: Seagrass beds, mangroves, and kelp forests all act as powerful blue carbon sinks. Collectively, these ecosystems can sequester hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon each year. In New Zealand, the Live Ocean Foundation is supporting Dr. Caitlin Blain’s blue carbon research to enable researchers to accurately gauge the amount of carbon that is sequestered by New Zealand’s kelp forests.
Biodiversity and Habitat Provisioning: Seascapes serve as breeding grounds, nurseries, and feeding areas for a wide variety of marine species. For instance, New Zealand’s kelp forests are home to a variety of fish and invertebrates, including larger predators like whales. The Seascape project, pioneered by Spyksma and New Zealand Geographic, is using cutting-edge technology to map the seafloor faster than ever, giving researchers more insights into how various marine environments function.
Nutrient Cycling and Water Purification: Seascape ecosystems also help regulate nutrients in the water and filter pollutants. For instance, shellfish beds and kelp forests both filter pollutants out of seawater, improving water quality for humans and other marine organisms alike.
Coastal Protection: Larger seascapes like coral reefs, kelp forests, and mangroves reduce the energy of waves and storm surges that impact coastlines, providing a natural defence for coastal ecosystems and communities from extreme weather events.

What Seascapes Mean for Us

From a human perspective, seascapes represent far more than picturesque views or popular dive spots. They are:

Climate Stabilisers: According to the UN Environment Programme, oceanic and coastal ecosystems store 2-4 times more carbon than terrestrial forests. This is not just limited to mangroves or kelp forests either. For instance, a single whale can sequester around 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, equivalent to the amount stored by 1,000 trees. Healthy seascapes teeming with marine life of all kinds are vital for helping regulate carbon and mitigate climate change.
Critical Food Sources: Seascapes support fishing activities that feed over 3 billion people globally. In New Zealand, seafood is considered a key domestic food source as well as a critical part of the country’s global exports.
Economic and Cultural Lifelines: Thriving seascapes are central to virtually all of the world’s marine cultures, with traditional practices and livelihoods often dependent on intact seascapes. In modern contexts, seascapes also help contribute to coastal tourism and commercial fisheries, making these marine systems foundational to countless local economies.

Protecting and Restoring Seascapes

Seascape restoration projects are necessary to ensure long-term ecological function as well as food security. Marine protected areas (MPAs), when thoughtfully implemented, can also allow seascapes to recover naturally and regenerate biodiversity. However, some human intervention through the form of nature-based solutions (NBS) may be needed, given the accelerating threats to these features.

Seascapes are more than just interesting pockets of life against the ocean’s backdrop. They are foundational to both ecological function and human well-being. Healthy seascapes are invaluable contributors to biodiversity, food security, and even climate and disaster resilience. Taking a wider view, our ability to restore and protect these expansive marine systems may well determine the full extent of climate change as well as the health of our oceans and communities.