Jellyfish conglomeration on an artificial surface, Monterey Aquarium. Cultural eutrophication and the increasing hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, for example, appears to have also increased jellyfish populations. Jellyfish can tolerate hypoxic conditions where more sensitive species cannot. Algae that are not consumed eventually expire and are consumed by the microbial community, which may lead to hypoxia. Eutrophication, for example, provides an excess of nutrients, which leads to abnormally large algal blooms that support rapid jellyfish population growth. Eutrophication, hypoxia, rising global ocean temperatures, coastal development, and overfishing, are suspected to be stimulating the growth of jellyfish populations. The frequency of jellyfish blooms is currently being investigated to determine if global trends are increasing as climate patterns shift. Brides Bay, an adjacent body of water, is considered prone to eutrophication. Jellyfish in Martin's Haven in green, nutrient dense water. Since jellyfish naturally have high reproductive rates, high-density blooms can occur as a result of both behavioral and ecological causes. Causes Ī jellyfish bloom is defined as a substantial increase in a jellyfish population within a short time period the result of a higher reproduction rate. Recent blooms have commonly overlapped with multiple industries, reducing fisheries catch, clogging fishing nets and power plant pipes, and overwhelming popular beach destinations leading to closures. Blooms also significantly alter carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling, shifting the availability to microbial communities. Jellyfish blooms significantly impact ecological community composition and structure by reducing available prey for higher predators. Little is known regarding how future environmental conditions will affect jellyfish blooms, though this is a growing field of research. Changes in ocean conditions including eutrophication, hypoxia, rising ocean temperatures, and coastal development, among others are thought to be the main causes of increasing jellyfish blooms. Jellyfish blooms are substantial growths in population of species under the phyla Cnidaria (including several types of jellyfish) and Ctenophora (comb jellies).īlooms may take place naturally as a result of ocean and wind patterns, ecosystem shifts, and jellyfish behaviors though their occurrence is thought to have increased during the last several decades in near-shore regions and shallow seas around the world. A golden jellyfish bloom in Jellyfish Lake, Palau
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