GLObecc: Tiny life, big impact!
Phytoplankton, copepod zooplankton, barnacle larvae and an Obelia jellyfish (1 mm wide)
With warmer days and longer light, jellyfish are starting to bloom - and it all begins here.
Under the microscope, you can see phytoplankton, copepod zooplankton, barnacle larvae, and an Obelia jellyfish (1 mm wide) contracting it´s body as moves through the water. Copepods are key prey for jellyfish polyps transitioning to the medusa stage... So as they multiply, so do the jellyfish!
This sample was collected as part of Firum's Kaldbak time-series which aims to monitor seasonal foodweb interactions among other things. Jellyfish monitoring is part of GLObecc, which investigates what jellyfish live in Faroese waters, what they mean for a healthy Faroese marine ecosystem, and if they pose a risk to salmon farming.
Let us know if you see any interesting jellyfish or blooms as the sea comes alive during the summer months.
Pictures (with date and location) can be posted to the GLObecc Facebook page or sent by messenger for a chance to win a portable field microscope (drawing in September 2025).
See video on GLObecc's Facebook page here
Phytoplankton, copepod zooplankton, barnacle larvae and an Obelia jellyfish (1 mm wide).
(Picture: Amanda Vang, Firum)