Deep Sea Unknown: A Review and Outlook on the Discovery of New Marine Species in the Early 21st Century

At the beginning of the 21st century, with the rapid progress of deep-sea exploration technology, scientists discovered many previously unknown new species in the deep-sea environment. These discoveries not only challenged people's understanding of the limits of life, but also provided new perspectives for biodiversity research. The aim of this study is to comprehensively review the discovery of new deep-sea species during this period and explore their impact on biodiversity understanding, deep-sea ecosystem function research, and environmental protection and sustainable utilization. By analyzing the progress of deep-sea exploration technology, the discovery of iconic new species, and the contributions of these new species to scientific theory and environmental policies, this study emphasizes the importance of deep-sea research in promoting biodiversity conservation and understanding the complexity of life on Earth. The purpose of the research is to raise public and decision-makers' awareness of deep-sea environmental protection, promote a balance between scientific exploration and environmental protection, and emphasize the crucial role of international cooperation in deep-sea research and protection. By looking forward to the possible directions and challenges of future deep-sea research, we provide scientific basis and policy recommendations for deep-sea exploration and protection, to ensure the sustainable development and protection of the deep-sea, the last frontier of the earth.