Reply #8: The really weird ones are the ones that are bigger than people. [View All]

[bloom]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5311834


It does sound like jellyfish are one species of creatures that are benefiting from global warming and the way we are treating the planet.

A group of jellyfish is often called a "smack." Many species of jellyfish are also capable of congregating into large swarms or "blooms" consisting of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. The formation of these blooms is a complex process that depends on ocean currents, nutrients, temperature and oxygen content. Jellyfish will sometimes mass breed during blooms, thereby causing large booms in jellyfish population and reportedly raising major ecological concern for a possible jellyfish outbreak.

According to Claudia Mills of the University of Washington, the frequency of these blooms may be attributed to mankind's impact on marine life; she says that the breeding jellyfish may merely be taking the place of already overfished creatures. Jellyfish researcher Marsh Youngbluth further clarifies that "jellyfish feed on the same kinds of prey as adult and young fishes, so if fish are removed from the equation, jellyfish are likely to move in."

Increased nutrient in the water, ascribed to agricultural runoff, has also been cited as an antecedent to the recent proliferation of jellyfish numbers: scientist Monty Graham says, "ecosystems in which there are high levels of nutrient ... provide nourishment for the small organisms on which jellyfish feed. In waters where there is eutrophication, low oxygen levels often result, favoring jellyfish as they thrive in less oxygen-rich water than fish can tolerate. The fact that jellyfish are increasing is a symptom of something happening in the ecosystem."

Areas already majorly affected by jellyfish blooms include the northern Gulf of Mexico, where "moon jellies have formed a kind of gelatinous net that stretches from end to end across the gulf," and the Adriatic Sea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jellyfish

Though they can be hurt by global warming in some cases:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5022300


I think they are pretty cool looking.


This site is tracking injuries - worldwide:

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/dec2/fenner/fenner.html