Читать книгу Coastal Ecosystems in Transition - Группа авторов - Страница 20

The abundances of microzooplankton populations in the NAS and CB differ in magnitude but exhibit similar seasonal patterns. Both systems develop spring ciliate maxima in response to increases in phytoplankton biomass, however, species composition and the importance of ciliate trophic guilds in respective blooms are dissimilar. Dominance of spring blooms by distinct trophic guilds appears to reflect divergent levels of eutrophication and may translate into different ecological roles for microconsumers in the two regions.

Periodic outbreaks of large scyphomedusae, Chrysaora quinquecirrha in CB and Pelagia noctiluca in the NAS, may be related to nutrient enrichment and over fishing, but this has yet to be confirmed. Both species consume zooplankton and ichthyoplankton and are detrimental to fish stocks because they consume their food and prey on their young. Given their abundance in both systems, these gelatinous species may be important in nutrient recycling and in determining the structure of pelagic food webs. In addition, they have painful stings and negatively affect tourism.