The following are web based articles written by Delaney Byrd; part of a larger blog journal called, "EcoMania"
Save the Floaters!
Poop. It just doesn't stink. It does more than you think...
Introduction
I'm sure over the last two decades or so, you've heard all the arguments you can take about whaling. “It's cruel.” “Soon, whales will become endangered.” “They aren't impacting the fish species as everyone thinks they are,” and so on. But here's a new one that will literally have you thinking, 'Holy Crap!'
Research
In 2010, two researchers found that whale feces, while ugly, does some pretty amazing stuff for the ocean! Because whale poop floats and doesn't sink, the feces sits on top the ocean and creates phytoplankton, the very basis for the marine food web! And like any good food web, you need a beginning to get to the end (the big, top, alpha predators); which in this case results in most of your dinners! So sit back, open up that can of tuna and thank the big floaters for their little floaters. Without them, dinner just wouldn't be the same.
