Biochar Research Paper Highlights

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Ocean Warming and Ocean Acidification are two representative challenges of Kelp Aquaculture.(Zi-min Hu et al., 2021) A potential solution to overcome heat stress effectively while maintaining growth of kelp species is to use a solution of commercial seaweed extracts (biostimulants), to dip juvenile sporophytes before cultivation in the open sea (Umanzor et al., 2019). Alternatively, providing sufficient nitrogen (i.e. NO3−) can help kelp to ameliorate temperature-dependent responses such as growth and photosynthesis, thus enhancing its tolerance and acclimation ability to thermal stress (Fernández et al. 2020). 

The structural complexity of artificial substrates (like gravel) can greatly influence kelp recruitment (Perkol-Finkel et al.2012), artificial structures could be ecologically engineered (Chapman and Underwood 2011) to incorporate suitable structural complexity. Even when propagule supply is not limiting, kelp may fail to establish because of localized abiotic or biotic processes affecting settlement or post settlement survival of recruits. (Morris et. al., 2020) Amelioration of abiotic conditions by kelp can enhance recruitment (Schiel and Foster et. al 1986)

Biochar as a substrate for kelp cultivation provides advantages to kelp Gametophytes and Sporophytes through Biochar’s influence on PH, functional groups, microbial habitat (TianruLou et al,. 2024). and nutrient storage while the kelp is in its most vulnerable stage of life. Functionally activating the biochar can be key to helping kelp adapt to heat stress.