Facts and Information
A Jellyfish bloom refers to a group of them that live together. Not all species take part in such living conditions. Many of the smaller species do though because it enables them to survive. They aren’t as vulnerable to predators as a group as they would be out there all alone. The fact that a great deal of their movement is due to the wind and current means that they may be forced into groups now and then too based on such movements.
For most species though Jellyfish blooms tend to be a seasonal factor for their survival. That means that for part of the year they are with others and then the rest of the time they are on their own. Many experts believe this could be one of the evolution processes that the Jellyfish has used to be able to thrive for over 700 million years in the oceans around the world.
Studies show that during the spring and summer months when the water temperatures heat up and there is more direct sunlight Jellyfish blooms are more likely to form. They can range from a handful of them to hundreds or even thousands of Jellyfish all together. As higher than normal populations of the Jellyfish occur in given areas then the blooms are going to be increased too. This is a natural response due to the limited amount of habitat available for individual spacing.
What experts have found though is that the development of and the disintegration of Jellyfish blooms are quite complex. There are quite a few variables that are part of this condition. They include oxygen levels in the water, predator levels, temperatures, ocean currents, and even the level of various nutrients that are found in the ocean waters. There are some experts that believe human impact in some beach areas could be a contributing factor to the development of Jellyfish blooms.
Ocean water that has more salt content to it can also be a prime reason for Jellyfish blooms to be found there. This is due to the iodine there that allows the polyps to turn into actual Jellyfish. The warmer temperatures also account for them because Jellyfish tend to live longer when the waters are warmer than when they are cooler.
Since there is limited information that experts can rely on in terms of numbers of Jellyfish blooms in a given area over time the problem is hard to get a grasp on. Some experts think that we are just more aware of the problem today than ever before. Others though feel that climate changes, environmental changes, and even the reduction in the number of fish in the water that would eat Jellyfish have contributed to growing numbers of blooms. Some efforts are in motion to try to get a better understanding of the numbers and locations of them.
One of the largest problems with Jellyfish blooms is that people have to be extremely careful. Instead of a person just getting one sting from a single Jellyfish they may end up with dozens of them. This is why in various locations with known Jellyfish blooms the tourist attraction to the beach has significantly declined. In some locations segments of the beach have been closed off.
It has been deemed not safe for humans to enter those waters. The risk of stings from Jellyfish blooms in those areas is just too great. Such concerns have only further fueled the fire when it comes to the balance of Jellyfish and humans being able to share the waters. Many humans are frustrated that the Jellyfish are taking over locations where they used to love to enjoy the ocean themselves.
