Exploring the vast possibilities of seaweed: a deep dive into the potentials of Love Rimurimu
In the picturesque Wellington region of New Zealand, kelp forests, known as rimurimu in Māori, play a pivotal role in maintaining the region's ecological balance, boosting local economies, and protecting coastal communities. These underwater wonders, home to a rich variety of marine life, are the focus of the Love Rimurimu project, an initiative aimed at preserving these vital habitats.
### The Importance of Kelp Forests (Rimurimu)
Kelp forests provide a thriving ecological habitat, supporting a diverse array of marine species. This rich biodiversity is integral to the overall resilience of marine ecosystems. Economically, healthy kelp forests contribute significantly to New Zealand’s coastal economies, supporting fisheries and attracting tourism with their scenic underwater landscapes[1][4].
Moreover, kelp forests act as natural buffers, slowing down the speed of tsunamis and reducing coastal erosion. Recent research from GNS Science underscores the role of kelp forests in New Zealand, including those around Wellington, in protecting coastal communities by mitigating wave impacts[2].
### Conservation Efforts in Wellington
Conservation efforts in New Zealand prioritise collaboration with indigenous Māori, local councils, and community groups to sustainably manage and restore marine ecosystems, including kelp forests[3]. Organisations like Forest & Bird advocate for nature-based solutions to address environmental challenges, aligning with efforts to protect kelp forests and associated marine biodiversity[3].
The Love Rimurimu project, coordinated by Mountains to Sea Wellington (MTSW), is a significant part of these conservation efforts. The project involves collaboration with schools, scientists, iwi, and local government, and spans various topics, from seaweed biodiversity and its importance in the marine environment, to human impacts on seaweed health, and exploring practical uses for seaweed[5].
### The Love Rimurimu Project: A Year-long Education Initiative
The Love Rimurimu project offers opportunities for students to learn about seaweed structure, ecosystems, and habitats. They can observe seabed biodiversity, collect seaweed samples for experiments, and even participate in seaweed photosynthesis experiments and attempts to germinate and grow rimurimu in a classroom aquarium[6].
The project's second term delves into the human impacts that affect seaweed health, including pollution, sedimentation, overfishing, ocean acidification, and climate change[7]. The third term explores practical uses for rimurimu, such as in the food and cosmetics industries, and includes workshops to make seaweed-based products like bath bombs, face masks, fertilizers, bioplastics, and kai[8].
The final part of the inquiry encourages students to reflect on their actions, share their knowledge with the wider community, and consider how they can support rimurimu conservation. The Love Rimurimu project is a year-long education initiative aimed at restoring seaweed forests (rimurimu) in the Wellington region.
### Resources for the Love Rimurimu Project
To support the project, the MTSW team has developed resources, including PDF guides for seaweed harvesting, pressing, and growing experiments, and resources in te reo Māori courtesy of Te Aho Tū Roa[2]. Additional resources, such as seaweed identification guides, infographics, and a slide show, are available for those interested in learning more about Wellington's top seaweeds[9].
In a related citizen science project, Floating Forests, volunteers are needed to help identify kelp forests from satellite images[10]. The project's resources, including guides and workshops, are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of kelp forests and encourage active participation in their conservation.
References: [1] Ministry for Primary Industries. (2021). New Zealand's marine ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/5432-ms-marine-ecosystems
[2] GNS Science. (2021). Kelp forests help protect coastal communities. Retrieved from https://www.gns.cri.nz/home/our-science/natural-hazards/tsunami/kelp-forests-help-protect-coastal-communities
[3] Forest & Bird. (2021). Nature-based solutions. Retrieved from https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/our-work/nature-based-solutions/
[4] Department of Conservation. (2021). Biodiversity strategy submission. Retrieved from https://www.doc.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/405076/biodiversity-strategy-submission.pdf
[5] Mountains to Sea Wellington. (2022). Love Rimurimu project. Retrieved from https://mtsw.org.nz/our-work/love-rimurimu/
[6] Love Rimurimu project. (2022). Seaweed photosynthesis experiment guide. Retrieved from https://mtsw.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Love-Rimurimu-Seaweed-Photosynthesis-Experiment-Guide.pdf
[7] Love Rimurimu project. (2022). Seaweed identification guide for Wellington's top seaweeds. Retrieved from https://mtsw.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Love-Rimurimu-Seaweed-Identification-Guide.pdf
[8] Love Rimurimu project. (2022). Love Rimurimu seaweed identification slide show. Retrieved from https://mtsw.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Love-Rimurimu-Seaweed-Identification-Slide-Show.pptx
[9] Wellington Underwater Club. (2022). Seaweed identification guide. Retrieved from https://wellingtonunderwaterclub.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/WUC-Seaweed-Guide.pdf
[10] Floating Forests. (2022). Help us identify kelp forests. Retrieved from https://floatingforests.org/help-us-identify-kelp-forests/
- The Love Rimurimu project serves as an exceptional opportunity for students to engage in environmental-science education, learning about seaweed structure, ecosystems, and sustainable-living practices in the home-and-garden context.
- Embracing online-education resources, such as PDF guides and workshops provided by the Mountains to Sea Wellington team, facilitates an expanded learning experience for participants, encompassing topics like seaweed biodiversity, human impacts, and applications in industry and self-development.
- As stewards of their environment, students are encouraged to utilize their newfound knowledge from the Love Rimurimu project, taking action to support education-and-self-development through both personal lifestyle changes and supporting ongoing initiatives like the Floating Forests citizen science project.
- Encouraging community participation and lifelong learning, the Love Rimurimu project empowers individuals to engage in scientific exploration, helping pave the way towards a more sustainable future that preserves the health of kelp forests (rimurimu) and the broader marine ecosystems in the Wellington region and beyond.
