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Global patterns of epipelagic gelatinous zooplankton biomass

Authors :
Lilley, M. K. S.
Beggs, S. E.
Doyle, T. K.
Hobson, V. J.
Stromberg, K. H. P.
Hays, G. C.
Source :
Marine Biology. November, 2011, Vol. 158 Issue 11, p2429, 8 p.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

There is concern that overfishing may lead to a proliferation of jellyfish through a process known as fishing down the food web. However, there has been no global synthesis of patterns of gelatinous zooplankton biomass (GZB), an important first step in determining any future trends. A meta-analysis of epipelagic-GZB patterns was undertaken, encompassing 58 locations on a global scale, and spanning the years 1967-2009. Epipelagic-GZB decreased strongly with increasing total water column depth (r.sup.2 = 0.543, p < 0.001, n = 58): in shallow (2,000 m) sites. However, the ratio of GZB to primary productivity showed high values across a range of depths, i.e. this measure of the relative abundance of gelatinous zooplankton did not co-vary with depth.<br />Author(s): M. K. S. Lilley [sup.1] , S. E. Beggs [sup.2] , T. K. Doyle [sup.3] , V. J. Hobson [sup.1] , K. H. P. Stromberg [sup.4] , G. C. [...]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00253162
Volume :
158
Issue :
11
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Marine Biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsgcl.706249650
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1744-1