Role of jellyfish in the plankton ecosystem revealed using a global ocean biogeochemical model

Abstract. Jellyfish are increasingly recognised as important components of the marine ecosystem, yet their specific role is poorly defined compared to that other zooplankton groups. This paper presents first global ocean biogeochemical model includes an explicit representation jellyfish and uses gain insight into influence on plankton community. The Plankton Type Ocean Model (PlankTOM11) groups organisms functional types (PFTs). PFT parameterised here based our synthesis observations growth, grazing, respiration mortality rates functions temperature biomass. distribution unique PFTs in model. biomass 0.13 PgC within observational range comparable phytoplankton PFTs. introduction has a large direct crustacean macrozooplankton influences indirectly rest ecosystem through trophic cascades. community PlankTOM11 highly sensitive rate, with dominating its diminishes. Overall, results suggest play regulating ecosystems across structure, spatio-temporal dynamics biomass, which been generally neglected so far.