This is an interactive map resource that breaks down complicated concepts about the ocean into an easy-to-understand visual resource.
This is a resource that shows the monetary value of ecotourism in mangroves and reef ecosystems, the flood protection benefits they provide, the carbon they store, the impacts of overfishing to these ecosystems, and restoration opportunities available.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource lends itself to multiple levels of analysis and detail.
It has a great section about habitat restoration, which allows students to see how these areas can be impacted by positive intervention.
It also shows that environmental protection and making money do not have to be at odds with each other, and that there are win-win solutions.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be comfortable reading maps and have a basic understanding of what mangroves and coral reefs are.
Students should know the basics of the carbon cycle.
There is a link to the Oceanwealth website, which explains the map in more detail.
Differentiation
There is a lot of information, so splitting students into groups to analyze each subject of the map would help make it more manageable.
This would be a great tool to use in an economics class to illustrate the tragedy of the commons, and the purpose of protecting mutually used resources.
In a biology class this tool could be used to show the possible impact of restoration efforts.
A biology class could also use this to show the importance of blue carbon and coastal erosion.
This map explores marine resources, tourism, and recreational opportunities from the world's oceans. It also provides detailed analysis on the current level of marine resources depletion and ways to build resilience and conserve the ecosystems. This is recommended for students to explore.
Standards
Science and Engineering
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-ESS3-3 Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
