{"id":17688,"date":"2022-07-07T07:24:24","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T05:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=98346"},"modified":"2022-07-07T13:39:18","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T11:39:18","slug":"big-seaweed-search-week-how-to-take-part-and-what-to-look-for","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/big-seaweed-search-week-how-to-take-part-and-what-to-look-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Seaweed Search Week: how to take part and what to look for"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Samantha Stocks\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 07 July 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The Big Seaweed Search<\/a>, which runs from 23\u201331 July 2022, relies on citizen scientists to find and record the 14 most common types of seaweed found around the UK\u2019s shores. To results will allow experts to assess the impact of environmental changes in the ocean, which in turn can help inform conservation decisions.<\/p>\n

Seaweed is an essential component of the world\u2019s oceans. It is\u00a0crucial for marine life \u2013 from crabs<\/a> and bivalves<\/a> to bigger creatures such as cetaceans<\/a> and seabirds<\/a> \u2013 offering critical habitats, and providing them with a great source of nutrients and energy.<\/p>\n

Kelp in particular has been hailed as a fantastic blue carbon store, soaking up carbon from the water and atmosphere and helping to mitigate the impact of global warming.\u00a0However, research has found that kelp populations are declining worldwide, limiting the ocean\u2019s ability to absorb carbon.<\/p>\n

Find out how to take part in the 2022 Big Seaweed Search Week, plus key species to identify on your trip to the coast.<\/p>\n