Jellyfish modelling in the coastal waters of Valencia: Life cycle, transport, and stranding of Pelagia noctiluca

Within the framework of ODYSSEA project (grant agreement 727277), which aims at developing a platform for observing and forecasting marine data in the Mediterranean Sea, this work of thesis tackles the problem of jellyfish in the coastal waters of Spain in the Western Mediterranean basin. The first section of the work includes a short review of all native and invasive species; followed by a detailed description (sexual reproduction, behaviour and migration) of Pelagia noctiluca, the most abundant jellyfish. Afterwards, a hydrodynamic model with a resolution of 1/50 ° (ca. 2 km) and 20 vertical layers is developed with DELFT3D-FLOW for the study area; this model is coupled with a particle tracker ( DELFT 3D-PART) and a purposely developed life cycle code that combines reproduction, growth and migratory patterns of the jellyfish. The results of the model provide an unprecedented view on the life cycle P. noctiluca , the connection between spawning zones and coastal invasions and the factors that favour blooms.