Sea Lettuce (Ulva Lactuca) is an algae that is strong and plays an important role in purifying our waters. It is resilient in the face of human caused pollution and warming of our seas.

This amazing algae grows in abundance and is the first to appear after oil spills. One gram of fresh sea lettuce can fix 600 micrograms of nitrogen, thus purifying water.
It can survive temperature changes, fluctuation in salt levels and tolerate pollution.

There is research into the effects of climate change and pollution on our seaweeds. According to research by the Natural History Museum, there is concern that kelp forests are reducing in warmer parts of Europe, and that some species of seaweeds have not been seen for over 100 years. However they also acknowledge that it is possible that some seaweeds could have been overlooked.

They report that “As the conservation status of more seaweeds become known, this information could influence decisions about new marine protected areas, and direct targeted replanting of threatened populations. This will give seaweeds the best chance of surviving the turbulent centuries to come.”

Bibliography
Journal ‘Biodiversity and Conservation’.
The Seaweed Collectors Handbook, Miek Zwamborn
Seashore, Collins Guide

A new bestiary and herbarium for at risk species by artists from Northern Print.

“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support visits, new printmaking and school’s programme for this project.

Northern Print artists bring together traditional printmaking and the natural world with a series of new prints highlighting the diversity of species that are categorised as ‘at risk’.

The ‘endless forms’ include marine life; plants; birds; insects and mammals with many familiar and much-loved species as well as less known and intriguing creatures that have captured the imagination and hearts of Northern Print’s artists.

This exhibition of 45 new prints has been made following a series of visits to our region’s natural history collections and habitats and represents the tiniest tip of the iceberg of our natural world under threat.

The artwork includes a range of approaches and printmaking processes – including heritage craft skills also deemed at risk including letterpress and mould-made papers