South Georgia Big Seaweed Search

What is it all about?

The South Georgia Big Seaweed Search is a new project launched in 2022. It aims at studying seaweed diversity and distribution in South Georgia.

Seaweeds are a vital part of coastal marine ecosystems, providing food, shelter and foraging habitat for many species, while maintaining inshore productivity and contributing substantially to nutrient and carbon cycling.

Although South Georgia is far from many human impacts, its marine biodiversity faces threats from rapid climate change (ocean warming and acidification) and invasive species (including seaweeds).

The project aims to establish a long-term monitoring programme to support the future management and conservation of the island’s unique and important marine environment.

Project partners: The South Georgia Big Seaweed Search is part of the project “Biodiversity discovery and the future of South Georgia's seaweed habitats” led by the Natural History Museum, London, with support from the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, in partnership with the following organisations:

• South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI), Stanley, Falkland Islands

• Shallow Marine Surveys Group (SMSG), Stanley, Falkland Islands

• British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Cambridge, UK

• Tritonia Scientific Ltd., Oban, UK