Uneven protection of persistent giant kelp forest in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

Abstract

In most regions, the distribution of marine forests and the efficacy of their protection is unknown. We mapped the persistence of giant kelp forests across ten degrees of latitude in the Northeast Pacific Ocean and found that 7.7% of giant kelp is fully protected, with decreasing percentages from north to south. Sustainability goals should prioritize kelp mapping and monitoring, while protection and climate adaption targets should account for habitat dynamics.