Whales Might Also Be an Important Component in Patagonian Fjord Ecosystems: Comment to Iriarte et al./Response to "Whales Might Also Be an Important Component in Patagonian Fjord Ecosystems"

In their own words: "[...] opposing the contribution of zooplankton [...] to the downward biological pump, cetaceans feeding deep in the water column effectively create an upward pump, enhancing nutrient availability for primary production in locations where whales gather to feed." The rem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2011-02, Vol.40 (1), p.104
Main Authors: Hucke-Gaete, Rodrigo, Iriarte, Jose Luis, González, Humberto E, Nahuelhual, Laura
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquaculture
Aquatic mammals
Carbon
Climate change
Ecosystems
Fisheries
Fjords
Global warming
Marine conservation
Marine mammals
Nutrient availability
Primary production
Productivity
Water column
Water quality
Whales
Whales & whaling
Zooplankton
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Summary:In their own words: "[...] opposing the contribution of zooplankton [...] to the downward biological pump, cetaceans feeding deep in the water column effectively create an upward pump, enhancing nutrient availability for primary production in locations where whales gather to feed." The remarkable coastal habits displayed by these whales in the study area, and their prevalence to concentrate recurrently for feeding in large numbers during well-defined areas and predictable time periods, make them an appealing biological model for exploring their overall influence on primary productivity dynamics. In the aim of proposing viable management scenarios based on ecological (and economic) findings, it would be desirable to widen views and integrate research efforts that allow the enhanced understanding of ecological dynamics, thus generating solid grounds for proposing options that maintain healthy and functional ecosystems.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209