Part 8/9:
The expedition concludes with the team returning to share their findings, which are profoundly significant not only for the academic community but for conservation efforts worldwide. Early genetic analysis indicates that a biological frontier exists beneath the waves, mirroring Wallace’s original observations on land about 150 years ago.
However, the researchers also acknowledge that this vibrant habitat is increasingly threatened. As human actions lead to the extinction of species at alarming rates, from land to sea, there’s an urgent call to preserve and study these ecosystems.