Adaptation to climate change, marine heatwaves and coastal darkening in Norwegian kelp forests.
I am a marine ecologist with an array of international research experience (UK, Norway, Svalbard, Chile, Peru, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Germany). My primary research interest is investigating the structure of and biodiversity associated with temperate marine forests and understanding how these factors are changing in response to climate stressors (ocean warming, marine heatwaves) and human activities (coastal darkening), alongside developing/testing techniques to restore these vital ecosystems. I am currently working on the GEcoKelp project (www.gecokelp.org) where I am investigating the response of Norwegian kelp forests to climate change, particularly marine heatwaves and coastal darkening, at the genetic, ecological and ecosystem levels.
My interests also include understanding how artificial structures in marine environments influence biodiversity and how we can enhance these structures to promote marine life. My research experience includes work on opportunistic macroalgal blooms (Ulva spp.), coral reef macroalgae and citizen science.
Qualifications
2024 PhD: Aberystwyth University (Wales) – Biological Sciences
2017 MSc: Universität Bremen (Germany) – International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology
2014: BSc: Bangor University (Wales) – Marine Biology and Oceanography with International Experience (Australia)
Peer Reviewed Publications
Pérez-Matus A, Muñoz-Cordovez R, Ruz CS, Gonzalez-Alonso de Linaje C, Siñuela JP, Earp HS, Gouraguine A, Hinostroza JD, Gamarra A, Uribe RA, Smale DA, Burrows MT, Gelcich S, Faugeron S, Valdivia N, Moore PJ. (2025) Management regime influences the recovery of subtidal kelp forests following pulse disturbances. Journal of Applied Ecology, 62(10), 2676-2687. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70134
Earp HS, Smale DA, Almond PM, Catherall HJN, Gouraguine A, Wilding C, Moore PJ. (2024) Temporal variation in the structure, abundance, and composition of Laminaria hyperborea forests and their associated understorey assemblages over an intense storm season. Marine Environmental Research, 200, 106652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106652
Earp HS, Smale DA, King N, Bestwick J, Fazel B, Moore P. (2024). Spatial and temporal variability in the diversity and structure of understorey assemblages associated with Laminaria hyperborea forests in the northeast Atlantic. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 578, 152034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2024.152034
Gouraguine A, Smale DA, Edwards A, King, NG, Earp HS, Jackson-Bué M, Kelly S, Moore PJ. (2024). Temporal and spatial drivers of macroinvertebrate assemblage structure within Laminaria hyperborea detritus. Marine Environmental Research, 198, 106518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106518
Wood G, Filbee-Dexter K, Coleman MA, Valckenaere J, Aguirre JD, Bentley PM, Carnell PE, Dawkins PD, Dykman LN, Earp HS, Ennis LB, Francis P, Franco JN, Hayford HA, Lamb JB, Ling SD, Lis E, Masters B, Miller N, Moore PJ, Neufeld CJ, Pocklington JB, Smale DA, Stahl F, Starko S, Steell SC, Verbeek J, Verges A, Wilding CM, Wernberg T. (2024) Upscaling marine forest restoration: challenges, solutions and recommendations from the Green Gravel Action Group. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11, 1364263. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1364263
Earp HS, Smale DA, Catherall HJN, Moore PJ. (2024). An assessment of the utility of green gravel as a kelp restoration tool in wave-exposed intertidal habitats. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 104, e28, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315424000225
Uribe R, Smale DS, Morales R, Aleman S, Atoche-Suclupe D, Burrows MT, Earp HS, Hinostroza JD, King NG, Perea A, Pérez-Matus A, Smith K, Moore PJ. (2024). Spatiotemporal variability in the structure of faunal assemblages associated with the understudied kelp, Eisenia cokeri, in Peru. Marine Biology, 117, 62. https://doi.org.10.1007/s00227-023-04334-w
Eger AM, Agguire JD, Altamirano M, Arroyo NL, Bauer-Civiello AM, Beas-Luna R, Bekkby T, Bellgrove A, Bennett S, Bernal B, O’Blain C, Boada J, Branigain S, Bursic J, Cevallos B, Choi CG, Connell SD, Cornwall CE, Earp HS, ….., Verges A. The Kelp Forest Challenge: A collaborative global movement to protect and restore 4 million hectares of kelp forests. Journal of Applied Phycology, 36, 951-964. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-023-03103-y
King NG, Uribe R, Earp HS, Gouraguine A, Hinostroza JD, Pérez-Matus A, Smale DA, Smith K, Moore PJ. (2023). Multiscale spatial variability and stability in the structure and diversity of bacterial communities associated with understudied kelp Eisenia cokeri in Peru. Microbial Ecology, 86(4), 2574-2582. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-023-02262-2
Thompson BJ, Brooks P, Farrugia Drakard V, Kubin F, Earp HS, Alverez-Cienfuegos I, Moore PJ, Crowe TP. (2023). Population structure and reproductive states of the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus differ between artificial structures and natural rocky shores. Marine Environmental Research, 189, 106059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106059
Earp HS, George R, Brooks P, Farrugia Drakard V, Thompson BJ, Fisher B, Hayden R, Crowe TP. The population structure, sex ratio and reproductive potential of limpets (Patella sp.) on natural shores and artificial structures in the Irish Sea. (2023). Marine Environmental Research, 184, 105853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105853
Earp HS, Smale DA, Pérez-Matus A, Gouraguine A, Shaw PW, Moore PJ. (2022). A quantitative synthesis of approaches, biases, successes and failures in marine forest restoration with considerations for future work. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 32, 1717–1731. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3880
Earp HS, Vye SR, Bohn K, Burrows M, Chenery J, Dickens S, Foster C, Grist H, Lamont P, Morrall Z, Pocklington J, Scott A, Watson G, West V, Jenkins SR, Delany J, Sugden H. (2022). Do you see what I see? Quantifying inter-observer variability in an intertidal marine citizen science experiment. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.483
Eger A, Earp HS, Friedman K, Gatt Y, Hagger V, Hancock B, Kaewsrikhaw R, Mcleod E, Moore AM, Niner HJ, Razafinaivo F, Sousa AI, Stankovic M, Worthington TA, Bayraktarov E, Saunders M, Vergés A, Reeves S. (2022). The need, opportunities, and challenges for creating a standardized framework for marine restoration monitoring and reporting. Biological Conservation, 266, 109429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109429
Drakard VF, Brooks P, Crowe TP, Earp HS, Thompson B, Bourke N, George R, Piper C, Moore PJ. (2021). Fucus vesiculosus populations on artificial structures have potentially reduced fecundity and are dislodged at greater rates than on natural shores. Marine Environmental Research, 168, 105324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105324
Vye SR, Dickens S, Adams L, Bohn K, Chenery J, Dobson N, Dunn RE, Earp HS, Evans M, Foster C, Grist H, Holt B, Hull S, Jenkins SR, Lamont P, Long S, Mieszkowska N, Millard J, Morrall Z, Pack K, Parry-Wilson H, Pocklington J, Pottas J, Richardson L, Scott A, Sugden H, Watson G, West V, Winton D, Delany J, Burrows MT. (2020). Patterns of abundance across geographical ranges as a predictor for responses to climate change: Evidence from UK rocky shores. Diversity and Distributions, 26(10), 1357-1365. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13118
Earp HS, Liconti A. (2020). Science for the future: the use of citizen science in marine research and conservation. In YOUMARES 9–The oceans: Our research, our future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20389-4_1
Earp HS, Prinz N, Cziesielski MJ, Andskog M. (2018). For a World Without Boundaries: Connectivity Between Marine Tropical Ecosystems in Times of Change. In YOUMARES 8–Oceans Across Boundaries: Learning from each other. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93284-2_9
Other Publications (if applicable)
Earp HS, Wood GV, Filbee-Dexter K, Wernberg T. (2025). Opportunities, challenges and future directions for restoring kelp forests using Green Gravel. In Advances in Temperate Phyconomy: Algal Harvest and Cultivation in Globally Distributed Temperate Waters. Springer.
Earp HS, Moore PJ, Fanshawe S, Balchin G, Yesson C. 2025. Barriers and optimum conditions for kelp recovery report. The Blue Marine Foundation. https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kelp-Recovery-Report.pdf
Eger AM, Bauer-Civeillo A, Bernal B, Bohachyk S, Janke D, Arroyo NL, Schreider M, Earp HS. 2024. Monitoring Kelp Forest Ecosystems: A Guidebook to Quantifying Biodiversity, Ecosystem Health, and Ecosystem Benefits. Kelp Forest Alliance, Sydney, NSW, Australia. https://kelpforestalliance.com/kelp-monitoring-report.pdf
Wilding CW, Earp HS. 2024. Attaching seaweed spores to used scallop shells could restore UK’s coastal kelp forests. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/attaching-seaweed-spores-to-used-scallop-shells-could-restore-uks-coastal-kelp-forests-224281
Eger A, et al. (incl. Earp HS). 2023. A roadmap for protecting and restoring 4 million hectares of kelp forests by 2040. Kelp Forest Alliance, Sydney, Australia. https://kelpforestalliance.com/Kelp-Forest-Challenge-Roadmap.pdf
Wilding CM, Earp HS, Cooper C, Lubelski A, Smale DS. 2023. Kelp Restoration in UK waters – feasibility report. Natural England.
Rossi G (English review Earp HS). (2021). Corals – A guide to the identification of the main genera of coral reef builders of the Indo-Pacific Region. Reef Check Italia onlus, Ancona. 441 pp.
Earp HS, Bailey S, Mckay-Jones G, Hornby H, Sugden H, Moore PJ. 2023. An investigation into the effectiveness of nature-based solutions along estuaries in northeast England. Groundwork.
Achievements and Awards
2025: Funding: Norwegian Research Council (Norway)
2022: Funding: British Phycological Society (U.K)
2022: Funding: British Ecological Society (U.K)
2022: Funding: Challenger Society for Marine Sciences (U.K)
2017: Funding: PADI Foundation research grant (French Polynesia)
2016: Funding: ERASMUS+ (Germany)
2016: Funding: Kellner & Stöll Stiftung Für Klima und Umwelt (Germany)
2016: Funding: The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (Germany)
2023: British Phycological Society Conference – Highly commended oral presentation and poster award.
2023: International Temperate Reefs Symposium 2023 – First prize poster award.
2018: YOUMARes Conference –First prize poster award.
Links
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=S-tz8HkAAAAJ&hl=en
Wernberg & Filbee-Dexter Labs 