The Rise of Slime: Marine Evolution in Reverse

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon described by marine ecologist Jeremy B.C. Jackson, where advanced marine life is declining while primitive organisms like algae, bacteria, and jellyfish are proliferating, a scenario termed "the rise of slime." This trend is observed in various ecosystems, including Pacific atolls and the Eastern Seaboard. The participants argue that this situation reflects ecological succession running in reverse due to human interference, particularly through nutrient enrichment, which favors species with high reproductive rates, such as cyanobacteria like Lyngbya Majuscula. The conversation highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of ecological dynamics, referencing works by Ramon Margalef and Eugene Odum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ecological succession and its principles
  • Familiarity with marine biology and the roles of various marine species
  • Knowledge of nutrient enrichment effects on ecosystems
  • Awareness of foundational ecological theories by Ramon Margalef and Eugene Odum
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the ecological implications of nutrient enrichment in marine environments
  • Study the characteristics and impacts of cyanobacteria, specifically Lyngbya Majuscula
  • Explore ecological succession theories and their applications in modern ecology
  • Read "Perspectives in Ecological Theory" by Ramon Margalef for deeper insights
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Marine biologists, ecologists, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the impacts of human activity on marine ecosystems and ecological theory.

marcus
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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ocean30jul30,0,7764272.story?page=1


"...In many places — the atolls of the Pacific, the shrimp beds of the Eastern Seaboard, the fiords of Norway — some of the most advanced forms of ocean life are struggling to survive while the most primitive are thriving and spreading. Fish, corals and marine mammals are dying while algae, bacteria and jellyfish are growing unchecked. Where this pattern is most pronounced, scientists evoke a scenario of evolution running in reverse, returning to the primeval seas of hundreds of millions of years ago.

Jeremy B.C. Jackson, a marine ecologist and paleontologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, says we are witnessing "the rise of slime."..."
 
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Lyngbya Majuscula grows in long dark filaments. It is a strain of cyanobacteria. Very primitive. harks back to before multicell life.

would like to get some comment on this article from bio people
 
marcus said:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ocean30jul30,0,7764272.story?page=1"...In many places — the atolls of the Pacific, the shrimp beds of the Eastern Seaboard, the fiords of Norway — some of the most advanced forms of ocean life are struggling to survive while the most primitive are thriving and spreading. Fish, corals and marine mammals are dying while algae, bacteria and jellyfish are growing unchecked. Where this pattern is most pronounced, scientists evoke a scenario of evolution running in reverse, returning to the primeval seas of hundreds of millions of years ago. Jeremy B.C. Jackson, a marine ecologist and paleontologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, says we are witnessing "the rise of slime."..."
Nothing new under the sun of ecology theory--what we have here is the classic interference of humans on ecology succession--nutrient enriched ecosystems are kept in a state of low maturity (e.g., less species diversity) with high rate of energy flow and destruction of homeostatic mechanisms. The species that suffer the most are those with a low reproductive rate, species such as algae, bacteria dominate. My only argument with J. Jackson is his use of term "evolution running in reverse"--this is not the case, cases of nutrient enrichment as discussed in this article is "succession running in reverse". If I may suggest an excellent classic work on this topic by Ramon Margalef, "Perspectives in Ecological Theory", 1968, U. of Chicago Press. Of course any of the Ecology textbooks by Eugene Odum. Both of these ecologists take a cybernetic approach to ecological theory, which should be of interest to a physicist.