HRAP Online Encyclopedia

Seaweed and Aquatic Plants

Seaweeds and aquatic plants are an integral part of many ocean ecosystems. They are key components of the food web, create habitat and protection for animals, and capture and store carbon dioxide. There are three primary categories of seaweed: green algae, red algae, and brown algae. Within each of those categories are many species of seaweeds. Some of those species are edible, and with a permit can be harvested in certain areas, and are even commercially grown in local seaweed farms. At Haystack Rock, the tide pools typically look luscious and green in the spring when there is more sunlight and the water is still cool. Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and have previously been the cause of massive algal die-offs. As climate change continues to alter ocean conditions, the distribution of algae will likely change as well, and this could have a cascading impact on the rest of the ecosystem.