WHY ARE WHALES IMPORTANT?
Whales that feed in deep waters but defecate and urinate at the surface ensure a crucial supply of Iron and Nitrogen in surface waters. As phytoplankton takes up these nutrients, it turns them into food for fish.
HOW IT AFFECTS HUMANS?
More nutrients increase the productivity of phytoplankton and the sequestration of carbon through photosynthesis. As phytoplankton is at the bottom of the food chain, its higher productivity enables to support larger fish populations present at higher levels in the food chain.
WHAT IF WHALES DISAPPEARED?
Without whales, marine ecosystems would be less productive, which would negatively impact the fisheries that humans depend on.