Tag: Kelp forests

With over 10,000 species of marine macroalgae, it's easy to see why confusion exists around the terms seaweed and kelp. Though frequently used interchangeably, the two are not the same, with one being a broad umbrella term and the other a specific subset of organisms within it.

Kelp forests are one of the planet's most productive and dynamic ecosystems, generating an estimated $500 billion annually in ecosystem services. Understanding the importance of kelp reveals its crucial role in supporting marine life, mitigating climate change, and providing economic and health benefits to humanity.

Kelp is often mistaken for a plant, but it is actually a type of algae, just like all seaweed. This common misconception leads to a lot of confusion, so it is important to clarify: **are seaweed and kelp different** and, if so, in what ways do they differ?

Over 10,000 species are classified as seaweed, a broad term for marine macroalgae. So, what is the difference between kelp and seaweed? Kelp is actually a specific type of large brown seaweed, not a separate entity, with distinct features related to size, habitat, and structure.