Kelp forests contribute to marine life by providing shelter and which other function?

• A. Oxygen production
• B. Carbon storage
• C. Freshwater filtration
• D. No other function

Answer: (B)

Kelp forests do more than shelter marine life; they also store carbon. As kelp grows and sheds its tissue, the detritus sinks and some of the carbon it contains becomes buried in the seafloor sediments, effectively removing it from the atmosphere for long periods. This carbon storage, part of the broader blue-carbon system, is a key additional function of kelp forests. While kelp does photosynthesize and release oxygen, the standout extra role in the question is carbon storage, and the other options don’t match that major service.