Uncovering Physiological Mechanisms Of Aquatic Organisms Under Environmental Stress In A Changing Climate

Aquatic physiology explores the dynamic responses of organisms to shifts in their ecosystem, particularly in light of our rapidly changing environment. As global climate change progresses, aquatic ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges, ranging from temperature fluctuations and altered salinity levels to the increased presence of multiple stressors such as pollutants and eutrophication. Recent studies have highlighted significant evidence of how these stressors impact physiological functions, but there are still notable gaps in our understanding, particularly regarding the integration of responses across different levels of biological organization. Addressing these gaps is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the adaptation mechanisms employed by aquatic life.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the physiological responses of aquatic organisms to environmental stressors induced by climate change. We seek to answer critical questions surrounding the molecular, cellular, and organism-level mechanisms that underpin these responses. Our objective is to foster a body of work that not only elucidates these physiological pathways but also connects them to larger ecological outcomes. This knowledge could ultimately feed into strategies for the mitigation and remediation of stressed aquatic ecosystems, providing a foundation for sustainable management practices.

To gather further insights into the diverse responses of aquatic organisms, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o The impact of changes in temperature, salinity, and pH on physiological processes

o Responses to environmental pollutants and emerging xenobiotics

o Integration of physiological data across molecular, cellular, and organismal levels

o Implications of physiological stress responses (including biomarkers) for ecosystem health and resilience

o The role of physiological adaptations in survival and reproduction under stress conditions

We encourage submissions that cut across these themes, offering both original research and comprehensive reviews. Contributions should be designed to further our understanding of how aquatic organisms cope with a changing world. This Research Topic can be approached through various article types, including original research papers and detailed review articles.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Aquatic physiology, Climate change, Environmental stressors, Physiological adaptation, Biomarkers, Pollution impacts, Multilevel biological response

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.