Population fluctuations of jellyfish in the Bering Sea and their ecological role in this productive shelf ecosystem
Decker, M.B.; Cieciel, K.; Zavolokin, A.; Lauth, R.; Brodeur, R.D.; Coyle, K.O. (2014). Population fluctuations of jellyfish in the Bering Sea and their ecological role in this productive shelf ecosystem, in: Pitt, K.A. et al. Jellyfish blooms. pp. 153-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7015-7_7 |
| Keywords | Distribution patterns
Interspecific relationships > Commensalism
Population dynamics
Hydroidolina [WoRMS]; Scyphozoa [WoRMS]
IN, Bering Sea [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Jellyfish blooms; Fisheries surveys; Scyphozoans; Diel vertical migration; Climate variability; Jellyfish predators |
| Authors | | Top | - Decker, M.B.
- Cieciel, K.
- Zavolokin, A.
| - Lauth, R.
- Brodeur, R.D.
- Coyle, K.O.
| |
| Abstract | A long-term fisheries monitoring program operating in the southeastern Bering Sea detected a biomass increase of large jellyfish in the 1990s. However, medusa biomass declined to lower levels after 2000, but then increased once again in 2009. Similar population fluctuations are revealed in other monitoring efforts that extend to the northeast Bering Sea and to the west in Russian waters. Decadal oscillations in climate, rather than overfishing or other anthropogenic factors, are thought to be responsible for these trends. This case study of Bering Sea jellyfish blooms demonstrates that apparent increases in jellyfish populations may not necessarily be sustained and that increases may occur in response to climate variability. Herein we review what is known about the abundance and distribution of the dominant species of jellyfish in the Bering Sea and their potential interactions with other parts of the ecosystem, particularly those of interest to humans. |
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