Save the Whales, Save the Poop

Gross, but interesting.

From Discovery News

Chances are, you've heard a multitude of arguments against the killing of whales.

It's cruel. It has decimated whale populations. Whale meat is full of pollutants. Continued whaling will prompt preventive measures by 23rd century time travelers.

To which, we may now add another.

The ocean needs whale poop.

It wasn't long ago that researchers first confirmed that whales contributed to ocean ecology even after death, their carcasses landing on the seabed and forming the basis for unique communities known as "whale falls". Now, two whale scientists have found that, as well as seeding the seabed, whales also stimulate biological production at the ocean's surface, thanks to their nutrient-rich feces.

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Bats at risk of extinction

Bat populations across eastern North America are at risk of extinction  to the rapid spread of a devastating disease called white-nose syndrome. The fungus that causes this disease was discovered by scientists at the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI.  Now NWHC scientists, in collaboration with local state wildlife health agencies in affected areas, are working to learn more about the white-nose syndrome and control its impact on bat species.

From The Scientist

August 5, 2010 

Bat populations across eastern North America are at risk of extinction -- possibly within just 16 years -- as a result of the spreading incidence of white-nose syndrome, according to a study published this week in Science.

"I think people who study and care about bats had a sense that something this dire was happening," said evolutionary physiologist Craig Willis of the University of Winnipeg, who did not participate in the study. But, he added, "the speed -- the 16 year timeline -- I think was a bit of a surprise."

"It's a sobering analysis," agreed microbiologist David Blehert of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, who was also not involved in the research.

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