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PUGET SOUND’S UNDERWATER FORESTS

Read the online story, published October 23, 2024 in The Seattle Times.

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) can grow as much as a foot a day. It uses air-filled bulbs to float in the water column, often forming large canopies. Other species of algae form middle and lower understory layers similar to terrestrial forests. This three-dimensional habitat provides refuge and food for a variety of marine animals, including shellfish, shrimp, juvenile rockfish and salmon. Adult salmon and killer whales patrol the perimeter looking for prey. Otters feast on urchins and kelp crabs, and cormorants perch on the canopy looking for their next meal.

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Process

Part of the research for this story included a boat trip to Burrows Island (near Anacortes, WA) with the reporter, photographer, and Todd Woodard, director of natural resources for the Samish Indian Nation. While rocking gently near the sea cliffs, we observed bull kelp first-hand, and watched the tribe conduct kelp surveys by kayak. According to Woodard, bull kelp has declined around 30% over the last two decades.

Here’s some of my thumbnails and preliminary sketch.

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