Blog Post #4: Wildebeest

During their yearly migration, around 6,500 wildebeest drown in river crossings. However, there's some positive to it. They add 13 tons of phosphorus, 25 tons of nitrogen, and 107 tons of carbon back with their decomposition. And by doing that, they are fueling many kinds of plant, animal, and microbial growth. Their bones support a film of microbes that become fish food. And they also feed a lot of animals with their meat. 

One big implication that researchers can't understand the ecological role of past and current animal migrations. However, this does show a good example of how an ecosystem should look. 

I personally would not like to complete this kind of research. You have to really go there and survey the land, doing very dangerous and extensive work. I personally wouldn't want to get to so close to an animal who many kill. I'd prefer to watch videos than see it in real life.