Lecture by Aarhus University: Seaweed

Beneath the ocean's surface, seaweed grows in a wealth of colours, forms and sizes. Kelp forests along the world's coasts play as central a role in marine ecosystems as forests do on land - they create food sources and shelter for fish and small animals, absorb CO2 and nutrients, produce oxygen and counteract ocean acidification. Humans have used seaweed for food, feed, fertilizer, gunpowder and materials since ancient times.

Today seaweed is often mentioned as a solution to climate crisis, food crisis and biodiversity crisis - but does it hold up? The lecture examines what seaweed and algae actually are, how they differ from plants and animals, and how they are cultivated both at sea and on land. New research suggests that seaweed can contribute to sustainable solutions within climate, biodiversity and future food.

There is also an opportunity to taste seaweed. The lecture is held by Annette Bruhn, senior researcher in marine ecology, and is an updated version of a lecture from autumn 2020.