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The Star
7 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Chile's vital underwater forests under threat from mining, warming seas
A diver practises under the supervision of his fisherman and shellfish harvester father n Paposo, Chile. — RODRIGO GUTIERREZ/Reuters In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals – and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specialises in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. The health of Chile's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution.— Photos: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. Gutierrez prepares rolls of seaweed on a beach.— Photo: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters Part of the community The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Pedro Codeso harvests seaweed during his workday on the shoreline in the Antofagasta Region.— Photos: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. Espinoza on a beach, contaminated with mining waste. — Photo: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable." – By RODRIGO GUTIERREZReuters
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Seaweed forests in Chile: Nature's oxygen pump under threat from pollution and climate change
PAPOSO, June 21 — In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals — and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. 'They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life,' said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specializes in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. 'The future of the planet is seaweed,' she said. But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. Rafael Astudillo harvests seaweed along a beach in the Antofagasta Region. — Reuters pic 'Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting,' said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. A drone view shows the Paposo Cove. — Reuters pic Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. 'Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish,' he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. 'They are the livelihood for our households and much more,' he said. With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. 'All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans,' Gonzalez said. 'These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable.' — Reuters
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Chile's vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas
A drone view shows a tailings pit containing mining waste in the Antofagasta Region, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Paposo, Chile June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza A worker moves a cart loaded with seaweed at an algae milling plant, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Taltal, Chile June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Workers load a truck with sacks of seaweed at a seaweed milling plant, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Paposo, Chile June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Rafael Astudillo harvests seaweed along a beach in the Antofagasta Region, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Paposo, Chile June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Workers grind algae at an algae milling plant, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Taltal, Chile June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza PAPOSO, Chile - In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals - and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specializes in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
Chile's vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas
Seaweed, that grows on volcanic rock, are seen at the coastal edge in Easter Island, Chile January 31, 2019. Picture taken January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Vega PAPOSO, Chile (Reuters) -In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals - and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specializes in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable." (Reporting by Rodrigo Gutierrez in Paposo; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Sandra Maler)
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Science
- Reuters
Chile's vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas
PAPOSO, Chile, June 19 (Reuters) - In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals - and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specializes in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. But these forests globally are under rising pressure, opens new tab. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable."
