Coastal ecology encompasses complex and dynamic ecosystems such as estuaries, wetlands, and mangroves that provide crucial services including habitat provision, nutrient cycling, and shoreline protection. Despite their ecological and economic importance, these ecosystems are under escalating threat from anthropogenic pressures such as urbanization, pollution, and overexploitation of resources. Research over the past decade highlights that global coastal degradation has reached critical levels, as evidenced by loss of biodiversity, diminished nursery functions, and declining fish stocks. While conservation efforts and protective designations have been implemented in some regions, major gaps remain in integrating ecological understanding with fisheries management practices. Contemporary studies reveal a growing emphasis on ecosystem-based approaches and multi-species modeling, yet uncertainties persist regarding the combined impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and human development on coastal fishery resources. Consequently, comprehensive, multidisciplinary investigations are needed to evaluate ecological status, improve stock assessments, and promote sustainable coastal resource governance.
This Research Topic aims to explore innovative methodologies that link ecological integrity with effective fisheries management in coastal zones. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary understanding of how environmental, biological, and socio-economic factors interact to influence fishery resources and coastal habitats under changing climatic and anthropogenic conditions. Contributors are encouraged to address questions such as: How can multi-trophic and multi-species models enhance stock assessments? What ecological indicators best describe the resilience of coastal systems? Which management strategies ensure the sustainability of both ecosystems and communities dependent on them? By fostering dialogue among ecologists, fishery scientists, and policy professionals, this Research Topic seeks to bridge knowledge gaps between ecological science and applied management.
To gather further insights into coastal and fisheries systems within ecological, climatic, and socio-economic boundaries, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Ecological assessment and monitoring of estuaries, wetlands, and mangroves
o Multi-species and multi-trophic modeling for fisheries management
o Climate change impacts on fish stock dynamics and habitat distribution
o Integrated coastal zone management and ecosystem-based policy frameworks
o Restoration and rehabilitation of coastal habitats for fishery sustainability
o Socio-economic evaluation of fisheries and community-based management practices
o Decision-support tools and adaptive management strategies in coastal ecosystems
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
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
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:
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.
