IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC Seaweed Specialist Group

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Overview and description

Description:

The Seaweed Specialist Group (SWSG) includes some 10,000 marine macroalgal species within the Kingdoms Plantae (red and green macroalgae) and Chromista (brown macroalgae). This group works on ...

The Seaweed Specialist Group (SWSG) includes some 10,000 marine macroalgal species within the Kingdoms Plantae (red and green macroalgae) and Chromista (brown macroalgae). This group works on conservation assessment, planning and conservation action, and increasing the public profile of seaweeds. Our initial work will focus on the Laminarian kelps, which are some of the most prominent habitat-forming species in temperate marine reefs and subject to significant pressures. The geographic scope of this SWSG is global.


Group leadership

Dr Nur ARAFEH DALMAU

Co-Chair
I am currently an Honorary Fellow at The University of Queensland and a postdoc at UCLA and Stanford. I am a marine community ecologist and marine spatial planner. My research focuses on understanding ...
I am currently an Honorary Fellow at The University of Queensland and a postdoc at UCLA and Stanford. I am a marine community ecologist and marine spatial planner. My research focuses on understanding the impacts of marine heatwaves on kelp forest ecosystems. I also research the role of marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures for providing climate resilience and designing networks of climate-smart marine protected areas. I support conservation initiatives with NGOs, parks, and fishers, and teach decision tools such as Marxan. My heart remains in my beautiful Costa Brava, Spain (Catalonia), where I do my best to support conservation. I am a naive dreamer, and I know future generations will dive into healthy kelp forests and thriving marine ecosystems.

Dr Jacqueline POCKLINGTON

Co-Chair

Jacqui is a marine ecologist with a passion for seaweeds who’s work has taken her to Japan and the UK.

Currently a Research Fellow with Deakin University in her homeland of Victoria, Australia, she ...

Jacqui is a marine ecologist with a passion for seaweeds who’s work has taken her to Japan and the UK.

Currently a Research Fellow with Deakin University in her homeland of Victoria, Australia, she brings a combination of government, community and academic experience to the Seaweed Specialist Group.

At a glance

Official name:
IUCN SSC Seaweed Specialist Group
Associated Commissions: