Algal Physiology and Resilience to Climate Change in Aquatic Ecosystems

Algae form the foundation of aquatic ecosystems and play a central role in global biogeochemical cycles. Their capacity to fix carbon and produce oxygen places them at the heart of climate regulation and ecological balance. Yet the physiological mechanisms that sustain their resilience to a changing climate remain only partly understood. Rising temperatures, ocean acidification, altered light and nutrient regimes, and shifting salinity gradients are reshaping aquatic habitats at an unprecedented pace. Clarifying how algal species cope with these pressures is essential for forecasting ecosystem stability and informing conservation and management strategies. Recent work has revealed considerable metabolic plasticity and genomic diversity across algal lineages, while many questions remain about how these traits translate into resilience at population, community, and biogeochemical scales.This Research Topic examines the physiological responses, adaptive strategies, and ecological implications of algae under climate change. It brings together molecular, cellular, and ecosystem-level perspectives to build an integrated view of how algal species cope with stressors such as warming, acidification, altered carbon dynamics, salinity shifts, and nutrient imbalance. Contributions are welcome that address how physiological adjustments, metabolic pathways, and genetic mechanisms together shape survival, productivity, and long-term resilience. The aim is to advance predictive understanding of algal responses under future climate scenarios and to connect fundamental biology with applied environmental management.The scope spans freshwater and marine systems and includes both single-celled and multicellular algae. Cross-disciplinary studies linking physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology are particularly encouraged.We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying algal stress responses to climate-driven change-Photosynthetic efficiency and carbon assimilation under warming and variable light regimes-Temperature and light adaptation in microalgae and macroalgae-Effects of ocean acidification, salinity change, and nutrient limitation on algal physiology-Genomic and transcriptomic approaches to climate adaptation in algae Topic editors: Jin-Ho Yun, Jianke Huang, Pooja Baweja Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/72686/algal-physiology-and-resilience-to-climate-change-in-aquatic-ecosystems