Are Jellyfish Blooms Proliferating Due to Global Warming?

Image via WikipediaBy Cam Urban

Whether you are looking at scientific data or you find yourself caught in a drought in the middle of spring, the effects of global warming are becoming increasingly clear. We know from drastic climate changes that the environment is in trouble. But while weather patterns are some of the most visible indicators of climate change, we are able to look at other patterns in the ecosystem as equally important measurements. Among these patterns are jellyfish blooms, which are proliferating at an incredible rate.

There are a number of factors contributing to the increase of jellyfish blooms, most of which are linked to global warming. Jellyfish are thriving due to warmer and saltier waters as well as an increase in plankton growth. In addition, overfishing has created a niche for jellyfish to exploit. In years before predators were consuming much more of the ocean's nutrients. Now however, there is less competition leaving more for jellyfish. This is also the case with agricultural runoff, where jellyfish are able to capitalize on the organisms feeding on the bacteria.

The current trend in climate change shows that the ice cover is melting much later in the spring, spawning more rapid and increased amounts of plankton growth. There are various theories based on this evidence, but perhaps the strongest supports the idea that increased sunlight is favorable for the plankton. This is especially true in colder regions such as the Bearing Sea, where scientists and fisherman alike have noticed drastic increases in jellyfish blooms. But despite recent awareness, population control will only be a reality once the global climate patterns stabilize.

For most, summer droughts mean hot days and dry gardens. For jellies, however, it means saltier waters. As rain becomes less frequent there is less fresh water entering the ocean. Although it's not the case with all jellies, most will benefit from a higher salt content. This also relates to other predators and fish species, which are less tolerant of the salt increase and will often move from the coast into deeper, less salty waters.

As the ocean gets warmer and the water level rises, the jellyfish survival rate also goes up. It creates the right conditions for jellyfish blooms to prosper, which results in a longer span of migration. Now there are jellyfish species that are being labeled invasive. Beachgoers have to swim with a new element of caution, unable to know which new species has moved in, and which has left.

As the growing jellyfish population indicates, global warming is much more than unusual weather patterns. We are able to see that it affects all aspects of the ecosystem from the smallest microorganisms to the largest fish. Regardless of whether you consider jellyfish to be worthless blobs of jelly or the flowers of the sea, their incredible rate of proliferation is just as significant a warning as winters without snow or summers without heat. Jellyfish are just one reason we need to take our climate change initiative a bit more seriously.

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