Whales have long been considered by scientists to not have much of an effect on the ocean, but new research suggests the make more of an impact than we thought.
In a new paper published in the July 3 edition of the Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, researchers looked at how powerful of an influence whales from around the world have on the ocean, the University of Vermont reported.
"The decline in great whale numbers, estimated to be at least 66 [percent] and perhaps as high as 90 [percent], has likely altered the structure and function of the oceans," the researchers wrote in the paper.
If recovered the whales could help buffer the ecosystem by destabilizing certain stresses. Baleen and sperm whales (great whales) are the ocean's "ecosystem engineers." They eat large quantities of prey, spread nutrients throughout the ocean with their fecal matter, and even become small ecosystems when they die and species on the floor move into their carcasses.
"As humpbacks, gray whales, sperm whales and other cetaceans recover from centuries of overhunting, we are beginning to see that they also play an important role in the ocean," Roman said. "Among their many ecological roles, whales recycle nutrients and enhance primary productivity in areas where they feed."
Whales feed at depths but release their fecal matter near the surface in a process known as "whale pumping"; this is a huge contributor to plankton growth. These great whales could help humans out as well.
"[They] could lead to higher rates of productivity in locations where whales aggregate to feed and give birth," the researchers wrote. "a recent investigation of four coastal ecosystems has demonstrated the potential for large increases in whale abundance without major changes to existing food-web structures or substantial impacts on fishery production.
In the past it was difficult for researchers to study the effect whales had on the aquatic ecosystem, but modern technology such as radio tagging is making it easier. This new research could help scientists gain insight into the benefits whales provide for marine ecosystems.
