It's sad to learn that a whale has died in the ocean.However，that's not the end for the whale.It has a lot to give to other sea animals after death.
When a whale dies，it quickly sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor.There，the whale carcass （尸体） provides food and nutrients to deep—sea animals，which are often hungry for food.The remains can last for decades and create a complex（复杂的） ecosystem called a whale fall — an"oasis（绿洲）"of life in the deep sea.
Chinese scientists found a whale fall for the first time in the South China Sea during a deep—sea expedition carried out by oceanic research vessel Tansuo—1，which finished its expedition on April 2.Tansuo—1 carried the manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi，which can dive to a depth of 4，500 meters.
The whale fall in the South China Sea is about three meters long.Scientists have found several species of shrimp and fish near the whale fall.Some fish have started to eat the whale's tail.The whale fall might be quite recent and needs long—term observation（观察），according to Xie Wei，a scientist who took part in the expedition（考察）.
The whale fall ecosystem can exist in the deep ocean because great pressure and cold temperatures there prevent the body from decomposing（分解） too quickly.But the depth also makes it hard for scientists to discover them.There are less than 50 known whale falls in the world.
By studying the whale fall，scientists can better understand how marine ecosystems（生态系统） support life and how to protect biodiversity resources in the deep sea.
