Inclusion of jellyfish in 30+ years of Ecopath with Ecosim models

Abstract

A review of the functional role of jellyfish in Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) models by Pauly et al. [Pauly, D., Graham, W., Libralato, S., Morissette, L., and Deng Palomares, M. L. 2009. Jellyfish in ecosystems, online databases, and ecosystem models. Hydrobiologia, 616: 67–85.] a decade ago concluded that recreation of jellyfish population dynamics in models required additional ecological research and the careful consideration of their unique biology during model construction. Here, amidst calls for ecosystem-based management and the growing recognition of jellyfishes' role in foodwebs, we investigate how jellyfish are implemented in EwE models and identify areas requiring improvement. Over time, an increasing percentage of models have included jellyfish. Jellyfish were often linked to the wider ecosystem, with many predators and prey included in models. However, ecotrophic efficiency, a measure of the extent to which they are used by higher trophic levels, was frequently set at low values, suggesting that jellyfish are still perceived as under-utilized components of the ecosystem. Moving forward, greater care should be taken to differentiate the functional roles played by ctenophores, cnidarians, and pelagic tunicates. Additionally, when feasible, early life stages should be incorporated as multi-stanza groups to more accurately depict jellyfishes' complex life cycle.

The potential of Jellytoring 2.0 smart tool as a global jellyfish monitoring platform

“…Recent research has highlighted the importance of jellyfish in marine ecosystems (Hays et al, 2018 ; Lamb et al, 2019 ; Milisenda et al, 2014 ). In addition, recently recorded increases in jellyfish have been linked to global change scenarios such as high fishing pressure (Richardson et al, 2009 ) and global warming (Brotz et al, 2012 ).…”

“…However, the paucity of consistent long‐term temporal and spatial data on jellyfish is such that there is considerable uncertainty over whether and why jellyfish populations might be increasing (Condon et al, 2012 , 2013 ; Pitt et al, 2018 ; Sanz‐Martin et al, 2016 ). The logistical difficulties in sampling and monitoring these organisms in time and space are mostly responsible for this deficient level of information, hindering our understanding of jellyfish population dynamics (Lamb et al, 2019 ).…”

“…. The logistical difficulties in sampling and monitoring these organisms in time and space are mostly responsible for this deficient level of information, hindering our understanding of jellyfish population dynamics (Lamb et al, 2019).…”

Size‐based changes in trophic ecology and nutritional quality of moon jellyfish (Aurelia labiata)

“…broadly (Purcell, 2018), but a single study in Prince William Sound, Alaska found that this genus had similar diet composition to A. labiata (Purcell, 2003), similar to what was found in the current study. Gelatinous zooplankton have historically been approximated as a single functional group during whole‐ecosystem studies (Lamb et al, 2019; Pauly et al, 2009), but studies involving multiple gelatinous zooplankton taxa have demonstrated that taxa fill different trophic niches (e.g., Chi et al, 2020; Fleming et al, 2015). Our data provide additional support that when collected in the same region and time, there are both interspecific similarities and differences for gelatinous zooplankton that should be accounted for.…”

Structure and functioning of the Bay of Biscay ecosystem: A trophic modelling approach

“…Additionally, some information gaps remain, notably regarding biomass estimates for benthic primary producers, gelatinous plankton, bivalves, crustacean groups, mesopelagic fishes and pelagic sharks, which were not available and represents a major limitation of the present study. This is particularly important for species that are thought to play an important role in marine ecosystems such as gelatinous plankton (Lamb, Hunter et al 2019), mesopelagic fishes (Irigoien, Klevjer et al 2014;Martin, Boyd et al 2020) and pelagic sharks (Dulvy, Baum et al 2008). In addition, pelagic and demersal scientific surveys are carried out in different seasons (spring and autumn, respectively), which J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f could have important implications in our modelling exercise as distribution and abundance of species could vary seasonally (Lam, Cheung et al 2008;Vilas, Pennino et al 2019).…”