Save the Seahorses A WebQuest for 6-8th Grade (Science)
Designed by Loris Chen (lchen@wyckoffschools.org)

Introduction
in-link-boldTask
Process
in-link-boldEvaluation
in-link-boldConclusion
in-link-boldCredits
in-link-boldTeacher Page

Introduction

You are part of a team of specialists whose mission is to determine the best way to preserve two species of seahorses. Your team has been invited to make a presentation at an international conference where other teams will be competing for project funding.  Will your presentation earn your project funding? 

The Task

The populations of two species of seahorses may be declining.  In 1985, fishermen harvesting seahorses in the waters around Jandayan Island, the Philippines, reported catches of 50 seahorses per night.  By 1999, the same fishermen were collecting only 10 seahorses per night.  In the early 1990's, Handumon fisherman captured 8-10 kilos of dried seahorses every two weeks, or about 4,000 seahorses.  By 1999, it took a month to collect half that amount.  The seahorse trade is economically important to many parts of the Philippines where small-scale fisheries are the primary source of income. The decreasing population of seahorses is of great concern to those who rely on seahorses for an income.

Your task is to:

1. find out what has caused the decline in the seahorse population in the Philippines
2. investigate methods for reversing the population trend
3. present a proposal that will increase and sustain seahorse populations so that they do not become threatened, endangered, or extinct

Your presentation must include graphics and visual organizers.  Presentations may be in the form of PowerPoint or overhead projector transparencies.
   

The Process

 Your team will:

1. research the biology of two species of seahorses
2. research the geographic distribution of the two species of seahorses
3. research the human uses of the two species of seahorses
4. research sustainable harvesting methods that have been proposed by Project Seahorse
5. develop a plan to study the effect of one sustainable harvesting method
6. create a presentation to secure funding for your study

Divide the tasks 1 though 4 among your group members so that each person has one research task.   Work together to complete tasks 5 and 6.

Task 1. The Biology of Hippocampus barbouri and Hippocampus comes

The Question:  Why are the populations of these two species of seahorses so sensitive to current fishing practices?

Explore seahorses and their relatives, seahorses, and seahorse breeding at the National Geographic website.

To learn more about natural predators visit Nova. 

Task 2. Geographic Distribution of Hippocampus barbouri and Hippocampus comes

The Question:  Where are these two species of seahorses found?

Create a map showing the geographic distribution of these two species by entering the species name at the OBIS Portal.  At the portal, enter the scientific name of the sea horse you will be mapping.  Select "all databases."  When the database search is complete, select "map geographic location."  Once the map appears, you may change its orientation by using the menu below the map.

To find the names of the location where these species have been collected, use the scientific name search at Fishbase.  How does geography explain the occurrence of the species? 

Task 3. Human uses of Hippocampus barbouri and Hippocampus comes

The Question:  What uses do humans have for seahorses?

To learn more about human uses of seahorses visit the watershed radio website.  Learn more about the economic importance of seahorses.  How has demand for seahorses affected the population?  Are there other factors that have placed stress on the seahorse population?

Task 4. Sustainable Harvesting Methods

The Question:  What are some possible sustainable harvesting methods?

The harvesting of seahorses is economically important to small-scale fisheries in the Philippines.  Learn more about the fisherman's viewpoint.  Learn more about the conservationist's viewpoint.  An international conference was held to discuss 10 approaches to sustainable harvesting.  Investors are also supporting seahorse conservation.  Additional information about research projects may be found at the Seahorse Project.

Task 5. The Plan

Since you are a team of research scientists, your plan will need the following parts:

1. Research question- State in question that your research project will answer.
2. Background information- Provide information that someone would need to know in order to understand your plan.  Be sure to cite sources of information.  This the place to put information about seahorse biology, geographic distribution, human uses of seahorses, and sustainable harvesting methods. 
3. Hypothesis- A statement that describes the expected outcome of your project
4. Materials-  What you will need to conduct your research or implement your project and why these are essential
5. Procedure- List the steps you would take to conduct your research
6. Why your team thinks the plan will work- Link this to seahorse survival and sustainability of the seahorse populations.  Show a cause and effect relationship.

Task 6. The Presentation

Now it's time to sell your plan.  There's only so much money to go around.  Will your presentation convince the foundation to fund your plan?  Your presentation should include all the elements of your team's plan. Use visual aids. These might include maps, pictures, charts, tables, and/or an outline of key points. The presentation may be done use a computer-based presentation program or overhead transparencies. 

Each person should be responsible for presenting at least one part of the plan.

Evaluation

Your score for this project will be 40% based on your individual research notes and 60% based on the group's plan and presentation.

Conclusion

Conservation of a species is complicated by human needs and wants for products that use those species.  Sustainability is the concept that current needs may be met without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  What human needs or wants are met by the harvesting of seahorses?  What where some of the economic considerations that you needed to understand?  What where some of the cultural considerations that you needed to understand?  What actions can you personally take to save the seahorses?  What actions could your class take to save the seahorses?
 
 The ultimate source of information on seahorses is the Seahorse Project website.  A word of caution:  The information is written for research scientists.   Learn more about principle researches Dr. Amanda Vincent by reading an interview from Nova.

The Haribon Foundation is supporting research in the Philippines. 

Credits & References

 Seahorse picture from www.aqua.org, National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland
 

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page