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Resource Library | Video

Resource Library
Video

Exploring Our Pristine Seas

Exploring Our Pristine Seas

The world's marine ecosystems are in crisis and suffering greatly from human impact. National Geographic Explorer Enric Sala shares vivid examples of the power of creating sanctuaries to quickly turnaround the health and biodiversity of these vital ecosystems before it's too late.

Grades

5 - 12+

Subjects

Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Oceanography

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Related Resources
  • Pristine Seas

    Our oceans are threatened by pollution, overfishing, and climate change.  Even though the ocean covers approximately 70 percent of our planet, less than eight percent is protected. The mission of the Pristine Seas project, launched in 2008 by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala, is to explore and protect the ocean’s last wild places. Since the project began, it has conducted 30 scientific expeditions and worked with world leaders to inspire the creation of 22 marine reserves that protect more than five million square kilometers (1,930,510 square miles).

    View Collection
  • Explore Climate Change through GIS

    Global temperatures and sea levels are rising, and contributing to some of our planet's most pressing problems.  This can all be contributed to climate change.  Explore how climate change affects the earth's systems and human activity through spatial analysis, mapping, and GIS tools.  The data shows the Earth is warming and it's up to us to make the changes necessary for a healthier planet. Use these resources in your classroom to help your students build spatial reasoning skills to better understand and take action on climate change.

    View Collection
  • Mapping Marine Ecosystems

    Students investigate types of marine ecosystems, identify examples of these ecosystems and their characteristics, and locate the ecosystems on a map of the world's oceans.

    View Activity
  • Teaching Idea: Marine Ecosystems

    Explore the lives and habitats of species that live under or near oceans, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and other marine regions around the world.

    View Lesson
  • Create an Imaginary Marine Ecosystem

    Students create a marine ecosystem that includes two fictitious organisms. They describe the adaptive, trophic, and symbiotic relationships between the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.

    View Activity
Related Resources
  • Pristine Seas

    Our oceans are threatened by pollution, overfishing, and climate change.  Even though the ocean covers approximately 70 percent of our planet, less than eight percent is protected. The mission of the Pristine Seas project, launched in 2008 by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala, is to explore and protect the ocean’s last wild places. Since the project began, it has conducted 30 scientific expeditions and worked with world leaders to inspire the creation of 22 marine reserves that protect more than five million square kilometers (1,930,510 square miles).

    View Collection
  • Explore Climate Change through GIS

    Global temperatures and sea levels are rising, and contributing to some of our planet's most pressing problems.  This can all be contributed to climate change.  Explore how climate change affects the earth's systems and human activity through spatial analysis, mapping, and GIS tools.  The data shows the Earth is warming and it's up to us to make the changes necessary for a healthier planet. Use these resources in your classroom to help your students build spatial reasoning skills to better understand and take action on climate change.

    View Collection
  • Mapping Marine Ecosystems

    Students investigate types of marine ecosystems, identify examples of these ecosystems and their characteristics, and locate the ecosystems on a map of the world's oceans.

    View Activity
  • Teaching Idea: Marine Ecosystems

    Explore the lives and habitats of species that live under or near oceans, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and other marine regions around the world.

    View Lesson
  • Create an Imaginary Marine Ecosystem

    Students create a marine ecosystem that includes two fictitious organisms. They describe the adaptive, trophic, and symbiotic relationships between the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.

    View Activity

National Geographic Headquarters
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

ABOUT
  • National Geographic Society
  • National Geographic Partners
  • News and Impact
  • Contact
EXPLORE
  • Our Explorers
  • Our Projects
  • Resources for Educators
  • Museum and Events
  • Technology and Innovation
JOIN US
  • Ways to Give
  • Apply for a Grant
  • Careers
Donate Get Updates
Connect
Connect

National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.
Privacy Notice |  Sustainability Policy |  Terms of Service |  Code of Ethics

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