"Habitat Degradation: Ocean Acidification"
Artwork
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Visual and Performing Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Jill Pelto Gallery
What it is
- In this watercolor and colored pencil piece, scientist and artist Jill Pelto uses ocean pH data to illustrate how ocean acidification affects marine species like clownfish.
- The text below the artwork will help students understand why ocean acidification makes it difficult for clownfish to survive.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will learn that ocean acidification is destabilizing the ocean ecosystem.
- The linked references provide more information on the effects of ocean acidification on marine species.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the following concepts: habitat degradation, pH levels, carbonic acid, and carbon emissions.
Differentiation
- In art classes, students could analyze how Pelto used color, line, and negative space to convey the clownfish's loss of habitat.
- In science classes, students could research other marine species that are having difficulty adapting to the increase in pH levels and make a poster or piece of digital artwork to showcase how ocean acidification impacts the species.
- Other resources on this topic include this experiment that shows students why ocean acidification occurs, and this lesson plan and video on the relationship between CO2 and the acidity of water.
From the scientist review
This resource shows the influence of human activities on ocean acidification, which impacts marine resources negatively. This resource is recommended for teaching.
How we review resourcesReady to use it?
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