When a whale dies and sinks, the carcass provides a sudden, concentrated food source and creates an ‘island’ of organic matter on an otherwise food-poor seabed. Its body can last for decades, supporting an ever-changing ecosystem that blooms out of the barren darkness like flowers in spring. As it decomposes, different stages support a succession of marine biological communities.
Natural World Facts ⬩ The Stages of Whale Decomposition
added November 22, 2023 ⬩ random excerpt