Project update: Kelp, the forests of the ocean by Danai Kontou

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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // News // Project update – Kelp, the forests of the ocean

Danai Kontou, one of our PTES interns, is studying kelp in UK waters. Kelp are considered the forests of the ocean and provide an important habitat for many other species, forming an important part of the ocean’s biodiversity. Sadly, it is suffering a worldwide decline, as it’s vulnerable to climate change, ocean warming and acidification.

Danai is identifying the different species of UK kelp by looking at their DNA. Their distribution can then be identified and mapped. This will help inform management of the different coastal regions and support reintroductions where kelp has been overharvested and lost. She’s been out collecting kelp samples, looking at historical records and extracting DNA.

Danai’s diary

We’ve been out in the field collecting UK kelp samples at low tide from Sussex (Seaford and Selsey) and Kent (Birchington and Margate) and had some additional samples sent over from Cornwall (Newquay).

Danai-Kontou-collecting-kelp-southern-England

We had a meeting with the Sussex Wildlife Trust and IFCA (Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities) to discuss how our results can help them with the establishment of a marine protected area off the coast of Sussex and plan a potential reestablishment of the kelp forest that was lost in the 80s.

We’ve also looked through UK kelp collections from the Natural History Museum’s herbarium with the help of expert Prof Juliet Brodie, to get a better understanding of the area’s marine biodiversity history.

Danai-Kontou-Workbench-with-extraction-essentials — Samples

And we’ve finalised a protocol for DNA extraction from L. digitata. We’re using a modified CTAB protocol (a cost-effective protocol commonly used to extract DNA from plant material). It includes many clean up steps with harsh chemicals in order to purify the DNA, because kelp is notoriously full of chemical compounds that inhibit the extraction process (main issue being the polysaccharide ‘’glue’’ they excrete when damaged).