After researching the effects of hurricanes, I quickly
learned that hurricanes are not just damaging to land, but to oceans as well. After
analyzing the article, it is clear that the Florida ocean current caused by
harsh hurricanes are connected to the spread of lionfish. During hurricanes,
the Florida Current transports the eggs of the invasive species to the Bahamian
waters. By doing specific research on the direction along with the velocity of
the ocean currents through Florida, researchers were able to determine that
there were a total of 23 cases that lionfish were brought to the Bahamas. In
addition, they did extensive research on the ocean climate, reproductive
strategy of the lionfish and the larvae clarity. From 1992 to 2006, not only
did researchers find that the spreading of lionfish was at 45%, but they also
found that the population was magnified by 15%.
In order to
determine the connection between the water currents and the migration of
lionfish, researchers recorded monthly, as well as daily during hurricane
season, ocean velocity. By placing multiple simulated grids in the water,
scientists were able figure out the transition time the larvae took to move
from one grid to the next. In total, scientists ran 10 simulations from
2000-2007.
As stated in the article, it was true that the stronger
hurricanes, category 3 or higher, including Wilma, Jeanne, and Frances brought
stronger modifications in direction as well as velocity compared to weaker
storms such as Ophelia, Tammy and Gamma. Seeing as the distance between South
Florida and the Bahamas is roughly 87 km, it takes about 24 hours to travel at
1 m/s. For hurricane Ivan, however, the fastest water flow hit 2.14 m/s, which
was a higher velocity than the scientists predicted in the first place.
After reading extensive equations involved in the research of this experiment, it is clear to see the high accuracy and quality that was used while compiling the experiment. I felt the results were presented in a reasonably concise fashion as well as easy to understand. Although the lionfish is an invasive species, this will certainly not be the last ocean species to travel due to hurricane water circulation.
After reading extensive equations involved in the research of this experiment, it is clear to see the high accuracy and quality that was used while compiling the experiment. I felt the results were presented in a reasonably concise fashion as well as easy to understand. Although the lionfish is an invasive species, this will certainly not be the last ocean species to travel due to hurricane water circulation.
Works Cited:
Matthew W. Johnston, Sam J. Purkis. Hurricanes accelerated the Florida-Bahamas
lionfish invasion. Global Change Biology, 2015; DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12874
Photo Credit:
http://bugwood.blogspot.com/2015/03/hurricanes-spread-lionfish-far-and-wide.html
This is really interesting! I did not realize that hurricanes did this and were also helping the spread of these invasive species. I've been hearing a lot recently, and even in class that these fish were a problem in the ecosystems here and around the United States, but I did not realize or even think of how they may have gotten here. And I definitely would have not thought of hurricanes helping cause the spread. This really got my attention.
ReplyDeleteI feel like people tend to focus of the damaging effects of hurricanes on land. It is very interesting to see that hurricane have significant effects underwater as well. It seems as if the article you chose has legitimate data to back up its findings. The topic relates very well to our class in regards to the topic of the lion fish, which someone presented on during a current events presentation, and in regards to the topic of invasive species which we covered in class. Good analysis of the article and interesting choice in topic!
ReplyDeleteIt is always surprising to so what extraneous effects disturbances in the environment have on the ecosystem. While this concept is very intuitive, it just wouldn't have been something that I would have thought about. I wonder if these currents will eventually move these lion-fish from the environment that is suitable for them.
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting to hear of the damage that hurricanes have on aquatic life. I had never thought about damage that would happen off land due to hurricanes before. I also enjoyed reading this article because we have already discussed lion fish in class so I had some background and knowledge on them before I began reading the article.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the species is being transported via hurricane is especially concerning with that area of the world being the most active hurricane area in the world. Hopefully the native species learn to prey on the lionfish to at the very least stem the growth of their population because right now there are no natural predators for the lionfish.
ReplyDelete