Deep-sea ecosystems under school’s radar: linking human increased connectivity with diminished ocean biodiversity

Given the extensive impact of human activities on the marine environments during the last decades (e.g. climate warming, pollution, and habitat degradation), remote areas such as the little-explored deep-sea ecosystems need protection and long-term stewardship of their goods and services. Deep-sea ecosystems play a crucial role in global ecological balance by connecting with shallow-water and continental productivity, mirroring humanity’s increasing dependence on ecosystem services at both, local and global scales. Therefore, to foster a sustainable future, it is essential to educate younger generations about their connection to ecosystems that extend beyond local geographies, e.g. deep-sea biome, its resources, and its services. This can raise awareness about our global limits to growth and inspire a commitment to protecting the legacy of pristine environments.

To address this need, I developed a project with my students to explore humanity’s connections to the deep-sea environment. The project aimed to examine the fundamental components and processes that govern deep-sea ecosystems (biological, chemical, physical), and their links to cultural and economic interests (e.g. scientific research, archaeology, deep-sea mining). Students were trained to use Google Earth, GIS resources, data repositories, and virtual imagery to investigate the biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems in a dynamic and changing ocean environment. They analyzed distribution patterns and assessed the impacts of pollution and global warming on these ecosystems.

The project included independent research, group collaborations, and hands-on tasks focused on marine biodiversity distribution, endangered species, habitat conservation, and the effects of ocean pollution and climate warming on deep-sea life. Students were encouraged to use critical thinking to analyze data, make predictions, create graphs, and draw inferences on the probability of endangered species' short and long-term survival. Students became familiar with the methods and technology used in deep-sea exploration and collaborated effectively to propose innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This multidisciplinary approach integrated knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics, geography, and math with creative activities like role-playing, drawing, 3D modeling, and designing informational leaflets. These activities illustrated humanity’s connection to the deep sea, even in areas far from coastlines.

To enhance their communication skills, students used Canva and Prezi platforms to create engaging presentations. They also developed artistic outputs such as posters, leaflets, and models, and engaged in scratch coding and role-playing activities. Knowledge assessments involved students presenting their findings to peers, emphasizing soft skills like public speaking and collaboration. Projects were evaluated based on the accuracy of scientific information, creativity, originality, and potential community impact. The initiative culminated in a showcase event, where parents, friends, and peers reviewed the students' work and participated in discussions. This experience not only deepened students’ understanding of human-driven impacts on deep-sea ecosystems but also equipped them with the skills to become informed advocates for environmental stewardship.