Habitat restoration in overgrazed areas on the northern Norwegian coast

The principal objective is to test the hypotheses that former kelp forests that were grazed by sea urchins can be restored by artificially re-introduce three-dimensional habitats. This may promote colonisation of sea urchin predators that may reduce recru itment of sea urchin populations and induce a system phase shift back to the kelp forest state. The project will investigate if small or meso scale artificial reefs may be used as tools to restore kelp forests. We will also study the importance of habitat complexity on different scales for the ecological stability on barren grounds. A combination of field manipulations and laboratory experiments will be performed, and regional differences between the Norwegian Sea and the Barent Sea will be analysed. The project will contribute to explain why large barren ground areas have persisted for decades and contribute to value creation in northern Norway. Important deliveries are a monitoring program and amendments for actions to restore destroyed habitats and fis h nursery areas, including barren ground areas and increase primary production and biodiversity on the northern Norwegian coast.