We used to think we had a pretty good understanding of how plants reproduce. Then, some tiny underwater creatures changed everything! Hi, I’m Kate, and this is MinuteEarth. For a long time, we knew that animals help move pollen from one flower to another, which helps plants grow. Different animals pollinate different plants, but scientists thought this only happened on land or above water. However, in 2016, researchers found out that animal pollination also happens underwater!
Small creatures like crustaceans and worms visit certain types of seagrasses and seaweeds. They pick up sticky pollen, or spermatia, which is like seaweed pollen, and carry it to the female parts of other seagrasses and seaweeds. This can happen over long distances!
It’s surprising that it took us so long to discover underwater pollination. Scientists have known for a long time that animals pollinate about 80% of plants on land. But the idea of animal pollination underwater seemed unlikely. Water is much denser than air and is always moving, so it didn’t seem possible for small animals to move pollen between underwater plants.
Also, many aquatic plants and seaweeds existed long before animal pollination was thought to have evolved. Scientists assumed that pollen moved underwater only because of ocean currents. So, they weren’t really looking for animal pollination underwater.
Finding evidence of underwater pollination wasn’t easy. It happens at night and on a very small scale. Many of these tiny pollinators are no bigger than the tip of a pencil! It took some very observant and open-minded researchers to notice that aquatic animals can act as pollinators.
Even though most underwater pollination probably happens through water movement, the discovery of animal pollination underwater is important. It challenges what scientists previously believed and encourages them to rethink their assumptions.
These tiny creatures remind us that science is done by humans, and what seems logical to us isn’t always how nature works. Nature can still surprise us! If you’re interested in nature, check out our MinuteEarth store. We’re having a fall sale with great discounts on science gifts, like a holographic bioluminescent sea creatures sticker set, perfect for decorating your notebooks, laptops, or water bottles! We also have a book that answers many science questions, a serenity pin set, science posters, fun shirts, and more. Click the link in the description to explore a shop that’s perfect for fueling curiosity.
Imagine you are a tiny underwater creature like a crustacean or a worm. Create a short skit with your classmates where you demonstrate how you help pollinate seagrasses and seaweeds. Think about how you would pick up and transfer pollen underwater. This will help you understand the process of underwater pollination and the role of these small creatures.
Using materials like clay, pipe cleaners, and paper, build a model that shows how underwater pollination works. Include representations of seagrasses, seaweeds, and the tiny creatures that help in pollination. Present your model to the class and explain how each part contributes to the pollination process.
Choose an aquatic plant or animal involved in underwater pollination and research its role in the ecosystem. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class. Include interesting facts about the plant or animal and how it contributes to underwater pollination.
Design a simple board game where players act as underwater pollinators. Create challenges and rewards based on successfully pollinating different underwater plants. This game will help you learn about the challenges and importance of underwater pollination in a fun and engaging way.
Write a journal entry reflecting on why it took so long for scientists to discover underwater pollination. Consider the assumptions scientists had and what this discovery teaches us about scientific exploration. Share your thoughts on how this changes your understanding of nature.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
—
We thought we had a pretty good understanding of plant reproduction… and then these little creatures came along. Hi, I’m Kate and this is MinuteEarth. We’ve known for a long time that animals often move pollen from flower to flower, fertilizing plants. Various creatures pollinate different plants, but as far as scientists knew, this process only occurred on land – or at least above the water. However, in 2016, researchers discovered that animal pollination also happens underwater. Tiny crustaceans and worms visit certain species of seagrasses and seaweed. They pick up the sticky pollen – or spermatia, which is essentially a seaweed’s version of pollen – and transport it, sometimes over considerable distances, to the female reproductive organs of seagrasses and seaweeds.
The details of this process are fascinating, but what I find most interesting about this discovery is that, despite scientists knowing for a long time that animal pollination is an important and common process above water – with a full 80 percent of plants being pollinated by animals – we’re just now realizing that it also occurs underwater. There are several reasons for this gap in our knowledge. First, the physics of animal pollination underwater seemed unlikely. Seawater is much denser than air, and it’s often in motion; it didn’t seem feasible that small animals could easily move between the tiny flowers that exist underwater. Additionally, many species of aquatic plants and seaweeds existed long before animal pollination is thought to have evolved, leading scientists to assume that the only way pollen moved underwater was through the motion of the ocean itself. Consequently, researchers weren’t actively looking underwater for evidence of animal pollination.
Finding this evidence isn’t easy, as it occurs at night and on a tiny scale – many of these pollinators are no bigger than the tip of a pencil. It took a few very observant and open-minded researchers to realize that aquatic animals can – and do – act as pollinators. In some ways, this discovery isn’t that significant; most of the pollination of these seagrasses and seaweeds – and most underwater pollination in general – likely happens through the motion of water. So ecologically, underwater animal pollination may be a relatively minor phenomenon. However, the fact that it exists at all is significant because it challenges established scientific beliefs and encourages scientists to reevaluate some of their assumptions.
These tiny pollen-carrying creatures remind us that science is conducted by humans, and what seems logical to us isn’t necessarily how the world actually works… nature can still surprise us. If you have a nature enthusiast in your life, be sure to check out our MinuteEarth store. We’re currently offering a fall merchandise sale with great discounts! We have a variety of science gifts, including a holographic bioluminescent sea creatures sticker set; perfect for notebooks, laptops, or water bottles! We also offer a book that answers many science questions, a serenity pin set, science posters, fun shirts, and more. Click the link in the description to explore a shop that’s perfect for fueling curiosity.
—
This version maintains the original message while removing any informal or potentially inappropriate language.
Plants – Living organisms that typically grow in soil and use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis. – Plants are essential to life on Earth because they produce oxygen and provide food for many animals.
Pollination – The process by which pollen is transferred from the male part of a flower to the female part, allowing plants to reproduce. – Bees play a crucial role in pollination by carrying pollen from one flower to another.
Underwater – Located or occurring beneath the surface of the water. – Many fascinating creatures, such as fish and coral, live underwater in the ocean.
Animals – Living organisms that can move and consume organic material for energy. – Animals can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to deserts.
Seagrasses – Flowering plants that grow in shallow ocean waters and provide habitat and food for marine life. – Seagrasses are important for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Seaweeds – Marine algae that grow in the ocean and are a source of food and habitat for marine animals. – Seaweeds are often used in human foods and cosmetics due to their beneficial properties.
Researchers – Scientists who study various aspects of the natural world to gain new knowledge and understanding. – Researchers are studying the effects of climate change on coral reefs.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the natural and physical world through observation and experimentation. – Science helps us understand how the world works and how we can solve complex problems.
Nature – The physical world and everything in it, such as plants, animals, landscapes, and other features and products of the earth. – Nature provides us with resources like clean air, water, and food.
Creatures – Living beings, especially animals, that inhabit the Earth. – The ocean is home to many unique creatures, including dolphins and jellyfish.
