Climate change is profoundly altering aquatic ecosystems worldwide, significantly impacting the ecological balance between parasites and their hosts in marine and freshwater environments. As temperatures rise, precipitation patterns change, and ocean chemistry shifts, the distribution, abundance, and life cycles of parasites can be dramatically affected. These changes pose risks to biodiversity, fisheries, aquaculture, and human health, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of parasitological dynamics under changing environmental conditions. Recent studies have shown shifts in parasite distribution and increased incidences of parasitic diseases in various aquatic species, but the mechanisms driving these changes remain poorly understood. Current research efforts are beginning to address these issues, yet significant gaps persist in our knowledge of how climate change specifically influences parasitic interactions and the broader ecological consequences.

This research topic aims to elucidate how climate change influences the complex interactions between parasites and their hosts in marine and freshwater ecosystems. By focusing specifically on parasitology, we aim to foster research that can predict, monitor, and mitigate the impacts of these environmental changes on aquatic health and biodiversity. Key questions include how climate-induced stress affects host immunity, the ways in which altered environmental conditions influence parasite life cycles and transmission, and the potential for emerging parasitic diseases in aquaculture and wild populations.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of marine and freshwater parasitology under climate change, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Distribution and Biodiversity: Studies on how climate change alters the geographical range and diversity of aquatic parasites.
- Host-Parasite Dynamics: Research on the effects of climate-induced stress on host immunity and how it impacts host susceptibility to parasitic infections.
- Lifecycle and Transmission: Investigations into how changes in temperature and other climate variables influence the lifecycle stages and transmission pathways of parasites.
- Emerging Parasitic Diseases: Reports on the emergence and reemergence of parasitic diseases in aquaculture and wild aquatic populations.
- Mitigation Strategies: Development and evaluation of strategies to manage and mitigate the effects of climate change on parasitic infections in aquatic systems.

By bringing together a diverse range of studies, this collection aims to provide comprehensive insights into the current challenges and future strategies for managing parasitological health in our changing world.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Impact of Climate Change on Aquatic Parasite-Host Dynamics