KelpExplorer

KelpExplorer is an interactive mapping platform developed by the Hakai Institute that brings together decades of kelp forest observations along the British Columbia coast into a single, publicly accessible tool. The platform allows users to explore where kelp forests occur, examine changes in kelp canopy over time, and compare patterns across different spatial scales using data collected from satellites, aircraft, and drones. (KelpExplorer)

As part of the broader CoastConnect suite of open coastal data tools, KelpExplorer transforms extensive scientific monitoring efforts into an accessible resource for researchers, Indigenous Nations, stewardship organizations, resource managers, and coastal communities. By making long-term kelp observations easier to discover and interpret, the platform supports improved understanding, conservation, and stewardship of one of British Columbia’s most important marine ecosystems. 

Partners

Lead Organization

• Hakai Institute

Program / Platform Partners

• The Nature Conservancy of California

• CoastConnect

Collaborators and Data Contributors

• Indigenous Nations and coastal communities

• Researchers and marine scientists

• Stewardship organizations

• Government agencies

• Conservation partners

KelpExplorer was developed through long-term collaboration among scientists, technology specialists, and coastal partners working to improve access to kelp ecosystem information and support collaborative stewardship.

Time Frame

KelpExplorer builds on more than a decade of kelp monitoring and mapping efforts by the Hakai Institute, including the development of approaches that combine remote sensing, field observations, and automated image processing.

Context

Kelp forests are among British Columbia’s most productive and ecologically important marine habitats. They provide food, shelter, and nursery habitat for many marine species, support Indigenous food systems and fisheries, and serve as indicators of changing coastal conditions.

However, understanding how kelp forests change over time has historically been challenging due to the difficulty of monitoring large, remote coastlines consistently. Climate change, marine heatwaves, changing predator-prey relationships, and shifts in ocean conditions can all influence kelp ecosystems.

KelpExplorer addresses this challenge by bringing together kelp observations collected from multiple platforms—including satellites, aircraft, and drones—to create a coast-wide view of kelp distribution and change over time. The platform supports comparisons across decades, helping users better understand patterns of kelp persistence, decline, and recovery. 

Outcomes

KelpExplorer has improved access to kelp ecosystem information by transforming decades of monitoring data into an interactive, publicly available mapping resource. The platform enables users to explore where kelp forests have been mapped, examine changes through time, and identify patterns across British Columbia’s coastline using multiple sources of remote sensing data. (KelpExplorer)

Key outcomes include increased accessibility of kelp data for researchers, Indigenous stewardship programs, conservation organizations, and decision-makers; improved ability to track long-term changes in kelp canopy extent; and strengthened support for evidence-based marine stewardship and conservation planning. By connecting scientific datasets with local and Indigenous knowledge of coastal ecosystems, KelpExplorer provides a foundation for collaborative approaches to kelp monitoring, restoration, and management. 

The platform also demonstrates the value of open data infrastructure by making complex scientific information easier to explore and apply, supporting broader conversations about coastal resilience, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation. 

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