Key Idea.
Section 1
The Glacier Sea Rivals
Analyzing the full food web reveals that Moon Jellies and Walleye Pollock are in competition. They both eat zooplankton.
This means any change to the Pollock population will indirectly affect the Jellies by altering the availability of their shared food.
Section 2
The Cascade Effect
Evidence shows the Walleye Pollock population collapsed. This is a trophic cascade.
With fewer Pollock eating zooplankton, the zooplankton population increased. This surplus of food allowed the Moon Jellies to reproduce more. Thus, the decline of a competitor indirectly caused the jelly explosion.
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Section 1
The Glacier Sea Rivals
Analyzing the full food web reveals that Moon Jellies and Walleye Pollock are in competition. They both eat zooplankton.
This means any change to the Pollock population will indirectly affect the Jellies by altering the availability of their shared food.
Section 2
The Cascade Effect
Evidence shows the Walleye Pollock population collapsed. This is a trophic cascade.
With fewer Pollock eating zooplankton, the zooplankton population increased. This surplus of food allowed the Moon Jellies to reproduce more. Thus, the decline of a competitor indirectly caused the jelly explosion.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter