The marine biology-watchers at CBS would like to remind us of one of our planet’s under-appreciated treasures:
A new study suggests that whale excrement plays a vital role in protecting the ecology of the world’s oceans and their fisheries. The study, published in the online journal PLoSONE, showed that the nutrient-rich “slurry” of poo whales leave in their wakes helps feed the tiny floating plants (phytoplankton) – which, in turn, are eaten by fish and other animals.
In other words, whales are laying down an important
stinklink in the food chain that sustains human life.