Whale Fall Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem
Whale Fall Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem by Melissa Stewart is a nonfiction picture book published by National Geographic Books on March 14, 2023. This 40-page edition, presented in English, explores the ecological significance of a whale’s life and death, specifically focusing on the process known as whale fall. The book illustrates how a deceased whale’s body descends to the ocean floor, transforming into a vital food source for various deep-sea organisms.
Readers will discover the intricate relationships within this unique ecosystem, as the narrative details the arrival of different species that depend on the whale for sustenance. From hagfish to sleeper sharks, and eventually to zombie worms and squat lobsters, the book highlights the diverse life forms that thrive in this environment. Through stunning illustrations and engaging text, Melissa Stewart brings to life the remarkable cycle of life and death in the ocean, making complex scientific concepts accessible to young readers interested in marine life and environmental science.
Official synopsis Publisher
This fascinating nonfiction picture book filled with stunning illustrations details the end of life for a whale, also known as a whale fall, when its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea.
When a whale dies, its massive body silently sinks down, down, through the inky darkness, finally coming to rest on the silty seafloor. For the whale, it’s the end of a 70-year-long life. But for a little-known community of deep-sea dwellers, it’s a new beginning. First come the hungry hagfish, which can smell the whale from miles around. Then the sleeper sharks begin their prowl, feasting on skin and blubber. After about six months, the meat is gone. Year after year, decade after decade, the whale nourishes all kinds of organisms from zombie worms to squat lobsters to deep-sea microbes.
This completely fascinating real-life phenomenon is brought to vivid and poetic life by nonfiction master Melissa Stewart and acclaimed illustrator Rob Dunlavey.
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