Abstract

Restoration and protection of kelp forest ecosystems is critical to maintain marine biodiversity, support coastal communities, and meet global conservation targets such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 30x30 and Kelp Forest Challenge. Much of the success of kelp forest restoration and protection depends heavily on selecting ecologically suitable sites that align with species-specific environmental requirements. This paper introduces a novel kelp forest restoration site selection tool that synthesizes the realized environmental niche of 105 kelp species across 25 biophysical factors. Using over 426,000 global observations of kelp and high-resolution oceanographic datasets, the tool provides quantitative niche data summarized by species and ecoregion. It incorporates key variables such as temperature, salinity, light, and nutrient availability, offering users practical guidance to identify optimal restoration sites. Accessible via an interactive web application, the tool supports conservation practitioners, policymakers, and researchers by enabling evidence-based site selection, maximizing restoration success, and informing broader marine ecosystem management. This tool represents a significant advancement in kelp forest conservation, facilitating global restoration efforts and contributing to the ambitious goal of restoring one million hectares of kelp forest by 2040. Future developments will address qualitative ecological factors and socio-cultural considerations to enhance its utility.