Are jellyfish increasing in response to ocean acidification?

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2008.53.5.2040
• Publication Date: 2010-11-16T08:35:32Z
• Authors: Anthony J. Richar...; Mark J. Gibbons
• Keywords: Ocean Acidification; Gelatinous zooplankton

Ocean acidification may negatively affect calcifying plankton, opening ecological space for noncalcifying species. Recently, a study of climate‐forcing jellyfish reported the first analysis suggesting that there were more (generally considered group) when conditions acidic (lower pH) from one area within North Sea. We examine this suggestion number areas in Sea and beyond Northeast Atlantic using coelenterate records Continuous Plankton Recorder pH data International Council Exploration period 1946‐2003. could find no significant relationships between abundance any regions investigated. conclude role structuring zooplankton communities further afield at present is tenuous.