JBS-02 Post-bloom impacts on the marine environment

 

Jellyfish blooms appear to be increasing in frequency in numerous areas around the world. Whilst studies have sought to identify the driving forces and effects of blooms on the pelagic environment, the subject area of ‘post-bloom’ processes (i.e., the fate and ecosystem impact of sinking and decomposing jellyfish carcasses) has received little attention. Furthermore, the effect of decomposing jellyfish acting together with other anthropogenic stressors on marine ecosystem services is completely un-quantified. As such, the full socio-economic impact from jellyfish blooms is still unknown. In this session, we welcome novel empirical, experimental and modelling studies that shed light on post-bloom processes and/ or synergistic effects of decomposing jellyfish and other stressors in the marine environment. We also encourage presentations on how post-bloom processes alter the provision of ecosystem services by the marine environment.

 

Chairs:

Andrew K. Sweetman - International Research Institute of Stavanger (Norway)

Paul E. Renaud - Akvaplan-niva (Norway)