The 'Great Southern Reef': social, ecological and economic value of Australia's neglected kelp forests

摘要: Kelp forests define >8000km of temperate coastline across southern Australia, where ~70% Australians live, work and recreate. Despite this, public political awareness the scale significance this marine ecosystem is low, research investment miniscule (<10%), relative to comparable ecosystems. The absence an identity for Australia’s reefs as entity has probably contributed current lack appreciation system, which at odds with its profound ecological, social economic importance. We ‘Great Southern Reef’ (GSR) spatially connected reef system. GSR covers ~71000km2 represents a global biodiversity hotspot least nine phyla. GSR-related fishing tourism generates AU$10 billion year–1, in context significant natural asset Australia globally. Maintaining health ecological functioning critical continued sustainability human livelihoods wellbeing derived from it. By recognising we seek boost awareness, take steps towards negotiating difficult challenges faces future unprecedented coastal population growth change.