An explosion in the population of simpler forms of sea life is a symptom of the continuing human impacts on oceans, especially thru global warming. Warmer conditions generally favor lower oxygen levels, which drive out more complex fish species, and encourage simpler life forms.
I’ve made it repeatedly and abundantly clear that I, for one, welcome our new gelatinous Overlords.
For that reason, I want to be sure that my readers are regularly updated on the status of the ongoing global re-structuring. This video is notable in documenting the exploding populations of the very largest jellyfish.
It’s not going to happen -> it’s not really happening -> it’s happening, but it’s not us -> jellyfish stew is good for you.
-> food for all! (yippee!). I note, however, that these guys may have to duke it out with the large crabs now invading warmer Antarctic waters and reducing the species variety there: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/09/07/3311346.htm
I’ve tried jellyfish. Best described as ‘salty gelatinous gristle’.
If I was warden of the prison where the Kochs and their collaborators were jailed, they’d be fed jellyfish for every meal.
Worldwide increase in jellyfish… who would have thought? Thanks for keeping us posted.
I wonder if anybody has been keeping quantitative estimates for jellyfish populations over the past.
In the past, has the unchecked growth of one species caused the extinction of other species? Could these jellyfish blooms worldwide cause extinctions of species in some areas?
For the time being at least, the jellyfish population explosions appear to be a direct result of the simplification of ecosystems, mainly from damage we cause. Simultaneous assaults from overfishing, acidification affecting the ‘success’ of some organisms, warmer water affecting others. Some organisms have the dubious distinction of being vulnerable to all three.
Jellyfish? Not worried by any of this apparently. They’ve often had ‘blooms’ in the waters between China and Japan, but it’s way beyond a joke now.