Raising pasture-fed animals, we’re all aware of the importance of manure and where it lands. We’re also becoming more well-versed in the carbon cycle and how healthy grasslands can contribute to carbon sequestration and planetary healthy. But since most of us don’t spend a lot of time on the ocean, we may not have considered how the same things that contribute to health on land, are also happening in ocean ecosystems, where enormous whales distribute nutrients in their manure, and act as giant carbon sinks.
This 5-minute TED talk by Marine Biologist Asha De Vos explains the importance of whale poo, and how whales as “ecosystem engineers” contribute to ocean and planetary health. It’s a striking look at how everything and everyone is interconnected.
Enjoy!
Hi Kathy
Dr. Asha de Vos was talking about the –excellent– work published by Roman and others in 2014. (see: http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/130220).
Luckily, we have Dr. Roman and his brilliant insights in our team, investigating how biodiversity affects cattle well-being!
Cheers,
Juan Alvez