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Forests, grasslands, and marshes remind us of the importance of plants on our planet. They symbolize the fertility of our biosphere and the interconnectedness of living and non-living parts of the environment. And ultimately, they are the foundation of food chain that sustains human life on earth.
The ocean is similar, yet operates on a much vaster scale. Its plants, ranging from tiny plankton to massive kelps, also signify the amazing process of growth in the ocean ecosystem. Most ocean food chains, like those on land, begin with sunlight. Nutrients and minerals suspended in seawater feed explosive growth of plankton and seaweeds.
 Seaweed research taking place at Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is helping us understand short- and long-term trends in kelp habitats.
The list of known seaweeds in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary represents one of the most diverse collections of marine plants anywhere. Look at our seaweed picture library to see many of these species.
Welcome to the productive world of the Olympic Coast's seaweed flora.
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