{
  "id": 4697250,
  "title": "Loss of kelp forests reverberates down to the microbial level",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/loss-of-kelp-forests-reverberates-down-to-the-microbial-level",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-31T19:00:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-loss-kelp-forests-reverberates-microbial.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As kelp forests in Maine decline, their replacement by turf algae is altering the ecosystem at the microbial level, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences found that microbes play a crucial role in kelp forests and this role differs on turf-dominated reefs. The study, led by Douglas Rasher and Shane Farrell, revealed that the loss of kelp leads to changes in the microbial community and the chemical compounds they produce and use. The microbial communities on turf reefs are distinct and produce different chemicals compared to those on kelp reefs. This study highlights how the loss of kelp forests impacts not just the visible ecosystem but also the invisible microbial world, which is crucial for the health and resilience of these habitats.",
  "summary": "As one moves north, Maine's kelp forests are being overtaken by dense mats of carpet-like turf algae. The steady decline of kelp and transition into this new state are altering the ecosystem all the way down to the microbial level, according to a new study in PNAS from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.",
  "key_points": [
    "Maine's kelp forests declining, replaced by turf algae",
    "Microbes crucial to kelp forests, roles differ on reefs",
    "Loss of kelp alters microbial community and chemical production"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}