The importance of seaweed added to soil as a fertilizer has long been recognised. Soil studied on Orkney, noted very deep organic matter horizons over sandy subsoils. These are often referred to as 'plaggen' soils or anthropogenic . Sea weed plus the material from the byres transforms a difficult soil into a fertile environment. The harvesting of 'wreck' from the beach is a still common in the west of Ireland . Note this is not cut but is harvested after high tide or a storm . Along with the sea weed come a harvest of flies -bitter experience here. But the potatoes grew well!
The native sheep of North Ronaldsay in Orkney live for most of the year on an exclusive diet of seaweed and are uniquely adapted to life on the shore line. Their native island was once dependent on kelp-burning to produce fertilizer for export. This island remains a place of very special interest but is now home to less than 50 people. The native sheep remain much as they appeared to our Iron Age predecessors and are a keystone breed in the domestication of the species.
The importance of seaweed added to soil as a fertilizer has long been recognised. Soil studied on Orkney, noted very deep organic matter horizons over sandy subsoils. These are often referred to as 'plaggen' soils or anthropogenic . Sea weed plus the material from the byres transforms a difficult soil into a fertile environment. The harvesting of 'wreck' from the beach is a still common in the west of Ireland . Note this is not cut but is harvested after high tide or a storm . Along with the sea weed come a harvest of flies -bitter experience here. But the potatoes grew well!
The native sheep of North Ronaldsay in Orkney live for most of the year on an exclusive diet of seaweed and are uniquely adapted to life on the shore line. Their native island was once dependent on kelp-burning to produce fertilizer for export. This island remains a place of very special interest but is now home to less than 50 people. The native sheep remain much as they appeared to our Iron Age predecessors and are a keystone breed in the domestication of the species.
Great post. Coincidentally just listened to a double episode podcast on US kelp farming by the excellent, How to Save a Planet podcast.
https://feeds.megaphone.fm/howtosaveaplanet
Podcast is hosted by journalist Alex Blumberg and scientist and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and I would highly recommend it.