Are Marine Protected Areas Effective?

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Map of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary showing the different management areas. Photo: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/southflorida/coral/conservation.html

By Natalie Torkelson, Marine conservation student Living in South Florida, most people are familiar with the concept of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is just one of these protected areas in Florida. Six percent of the sanctuary consists of fully protected zones. Along with the fully protected zones, 27 management areas were designated when the sanctuary was created, and the sanctuary also includes 20 existing management areas that have been designated by other agencies (National Marine Protected Areas of the United States). Biodiversity, or the amount of different species in an area, is often used … Continue reading →

Possible Links Between Estuarine Pollution and Invertebrate Biodiversity

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Typical marine benthic invertebrates (polychaete worms, snails, isopods and copepods—smaller crustaceans). Microphotograph taken by G. Carter (2000). Photo acquired from Wikimedia Commons.

by Monica Yasunaga, Marine conservation student Marine degradation from coastal pollution is difficult to measure without the appropriate frame of reference.  The parameters that must be considered include the physical, chemical, and biological interactions that are taking part in an area. To understand the extent to which human-induced development and activities affect marine ecosystems, biologists can look to the bottom of the food chain for the meat of the story.  Benthic invertebrates, namely those organisms inhabiting the seafloors, are vital to the rest of the food web.  Unlike the popular macro invertebrates of the sea (i.e. octopi, squids, and sea … Continue reading →

Ruling from the top-down: Sharks as Apex Predators and the Need for Better Management

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An example of the complexity of marine food webs. Wikimedia commons

by Tom Tascone, RJD Intern An apex predator is defined as a predator residing at the top of the food web in its ecosystem.  Life at the top has its benefits – reigning supreme in its environment, the apex predator feeds on lower levels in the food chain and has no natural predators of its own, allowing it to enjoy the freedom that comes with being the hunter, not the hunted.  Many examples of apex predators exist in both terrestrial and marine habitats, and if you were to ask anyone, despite their scientific expertise, to name a marine apex predator, … Continue reading →

Jellyfish Blooms are the Result of Global Oscillations

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From Condon et al. 2012

by Megan Piechowski, RJD Intern A recently observed increase in the abundance of jellyfish populations has been suggested to be a symptom of deteriorating oceans. Other indicators include: ocean acidification, eutrophication, and declining fish stocks. However, this conclusion might have been reached prematurely as a thorough and formal analysis of the long-term fluctuation of global jellyfish populations did not exist. In Recurrent Jellyfish Blooms Are a Consequence of Global Oscillations, Condon et al gathered data sets containing the distribution of jellyfish populations from thirty-seven locations around the world between the years of 1790 to 2011 (picture 1). They found that … Continue reading →