Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Vignette 02: Lower Trophic Levels In The Salish Sea, Ian Perry
Vignette 02: Lower Trophic Levels In The Salish Sea, Ian Perry
Institute Publications
Plankton form the base of the pelagic marine food web in the Salish Sea, and are eaten by fishes, marine mammals, and seabirds. Plankton include microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and very small animals (zooplankton). This vignette presents an overview of monitoring observations of phytoplankton and zooplankton distribution and biomass in the Strait of Georgia. Climate change may lead to unusual and unexpected patterns of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the future.
Vignette 10: Biological Repercussions From Microplastics In The Salish Sea, Ashley Bagley, Iris Kemp
Vignette 10: Biological Repercussions From Microplastics In The Salish Sea, Ashley Bagley, Iris Kemp
Institute Publications
Microplastic (< 5 mm) consumption and the movement of microplastic through the marine food web is an emerging concern in the Salish Sea. Upon consumption, marine plastics can physically and chemically affect marine organisms. Effects from plastics may be unique among species, types of contaminants, and types and sizes of plastics. Existing research indicates that current microplastic concentrations within the Salish Sea are not a significant threat to marine organisms. However, factors such as increasing urbanization and climate change may create or exacerbate microplastics impacts on Salish Sea species.
Vignette 17: Salish Sea Jellyfish, Correigh Greene
Vignette 17: Salish Sea Jellyfish, Correigh Greene
Institute Publications
The Salish Sea is home to a diverse community of gelatinous zooplankton (or "jellies"). In their adult forms, jellies comprise a relatively large proportion of biomass in the Salish Sea. Questions regarding jellyfish abundance and climate variation in the Salish Sea have been difficult to address, in part because of a lack of consistent monitoring. Research presented in this vignette suggests that jellyfish are sensitive to climate signals like marine water temperatures, but do not appear to be systematically increasing in abundance over time. Due to advances in modeling, we may gain a better perspective on the roles jellies play …