Study Reveals Key Factor Driving California's Anchovy Population Fluctuations
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications has shed light on the population fluctuations of the Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax), a vital food source for California's marine life. The research, spanning 45 years, analysed anchovy larvae collected during CalCOFI surveys and discovered a strong correlation between the length of the food chain supporting the larvae and anchovy population trends.
The study, conducted by scientists from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and NOAA, found that shorter larval food chains typically preceded anchovy population booms in California. These shorter chains, with fewer links, allow more energy to reach the anchovy larvae, potentially supporting more individuals. Conversely, longer food chains, with more links, were associated with depressed anchovy numbers in the following one to two years, indicating a bust was on the horizon.
The research, which does not cover the years following 2015, suggests that the recent anchovy population boom off California's coast may have been preceded by shorter larval food chains. This discovery could serve as a useful tool for estimating future anchovy population trends, benefiting not only the anchovy but also the marine life that depends on it, including sea lions, dolphins, tuna fisheries, and whales.
The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interplay between food chain dynamics and anchovy population fluctuations. By monitoring the length of the larval food chain, scientists may now have a predictive tool to help manage and protect this crucial marine ecosystem.
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