Rajeev Rao

Historical Changes in the Distribution and Biomass of WA Marine Forests.

I’m a Master of Marine Biology student at the University of Western Australia. My research investigates long-term changes in Western Australia’s kelp forests by repeating field surveys originally conducted in the 1980s. By comparing newly collected data with archival records, I aim to assess shifts in kelp distribution (primarily Ecklonia radiata), canopy weight, and biomass over time. This work will help establish an updated ecological baseline for key midshore reef systems and provide insight into the resilience or decline of kelp forests under ongoing environmental change.