The earthdive science log is a pioneering methodology developed in partnership with UNEP-WCMC and marine scientists from around the world. The scientists established earthdive eco-regions ­ large areas over which the climate is sufficiently uniform to allow the development of similar ecosystems on sites that are similar in composition. Marine eco-regions contain many seascapes with different spatial patterns of ecosystems.

A number of marine scientists and biologists with specialist knowledge in the different eco-regions were asked to nominate five individual species of fauna (and in a few cases, flora) whose numbers, when monitored over time, would indicate the presence or absence of a significant pattern or condition. These changes in populations can tell us a lot about the evolving state of our oceans and will help to determine and prioritise urgent conservation activities.

As an earthdive member you can observe and record sightings of these key species during a dive or snorkel trip and enter observations in your personal Science Log. earthdive members can also log evidence of pressures on the marine environment ­ such as pollution and overfishing - that have been created by human (anthropogenic) activity. All data can be viewed by earthdive members in the Global Dive Log.

In the box below you can see an example of a Science Log for the Tropical Indo-Pacific eco-region. To see an example of how the Anthropogenic Pressures are recorded, click the link at the bottom of the page or here. All of the eco-regions and their key indicator species can be found in the Global Snapshot.