Folco Giomi
Gisela Lannig
Marco Fusi- 1Independent Researcher, Padova, Italy
- 2Integrative Ecophysiology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar & Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- 3Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, United Kingdom
Editorial on the Research Topic
Impact of climate change on coastal environmental variability and aquatic physiology
Introduction
The ocean is experiencing a profound transformation driven by anthropogenic-induced climate change (Rosa et al., 2014; Frazão Santos et al., 2020). Within this global narrative, coastal ecosystems emerge as crucibles of change, bearing the imprint of both human activity and climatic shifts. Coastal habitats, characterized by their intricate interplay of environmental parameters and energetic flows, are particularly vulnerable to the convergence of these forces (Giomi et al., 2023). As we stand on the precipice of unprecedented change, the Research Topic Impact of climate change on coastal environmental variability and aquatic physiology in Frontiers in Physiology beckons us to delve into the intricate dynamics of these ecosystems and their symbiotic relationship with marine life.
In coastal environments, the rhythmic oscillation of environmental variables as for example the water flow controlled by the tidal regime, the diel oxygen fluctuations by photosynthetic activity can be disrupted by to stochastic event like marine heatwaves conditioning the lives of countless organisms. The ocean currents, tides, and temperature gradients that characterize these habitats provide the backdrop against which marine life has evolved and adapted (Fusi et al., 2023). However, the relentless advance of climate change is now amplifying the complexity of these rhythms. Coastal ecosystems, shaped by eons of natural variability, are grappling with an unprecedented pace of change as human activity alter the climate (Bitter et al., 2021).
Amidst these fluctuations, aquatic physiology emerges as a linchpin linking the fate of organisms to the evolving coastal environment. The physiological responses of marine life are both the canaries in the coalmine, signaling environmental stress, and the resilient echoes of life’s adaptability (Giomi et al., 2019; Booth et al., 2021). This intricate and constant interplay between physiology and environment shapes the very fabric of coastal ecosystems. From the microscopic to the macroscopic, organisms have honed an array of physiological mechanisms to sense, respond, and even anticipate the changing conditions.
Synthesis and conceptualization of published articles
The articles nestled within this Research Topic offer a panorama of insights that illuminate the interwoven narrative of coastal ecosystems and aquatic physiology in a changing climate. The Australasian Snapper Chrysophrys auratus, a keystone species of commercial and recreational importance, defies expectations by displaying metabolic resilience in the face of marine heatwaves and hypoxia. This resilience emerges as a testament to the intricate balance between thermal plasticity and chronic exposure, uncovering a nuanced physiological response that defies conventional predictions Bowering et al.
Moving from finfish to flora, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica emerges as a sentinel of thermal vulnerability. Through the lens of ontogeny-specific thermal sensitivity, the intricate ballet between respiration and net production is unveiled across various life stages. This dance, dictated by temperature and the delicate balance of physiological functions, reflects the adaptability of seagrasses in the face of climatic upheaval Rinaldi et al.
Zooming into the molecular scale, bivalves serve as molecular storytellers. The journey of Aequiyoldia bivalves across shifting climates offers a glimpse into the intricate interplay of gene expression, hypoxia, and temperature. The script written in these molecular signatures underscores the role of adaptation and plasticity in shaping the invasibility of new habitats Martínez et al.
Meanwhile, Antarctic marine invertebrates provide a surprising illustration of escape responses as thermal survival mechanisms.
In the thermally stable Southern Ocean, where mobility plays a rather subordinate role in escaping temperature stress, the link between acute tolerance limits and escape response comes into focus. These results point to the complex adaptive ballet that organisms undergo depending on their habitat and their chances of survival in a changing world Morley et al.
Concluding remarks
This Research Topic of articles extends an invitation to peer into the heart of coastal/benthic realms, where physiology and environment dance a delicate duet. It beckons us to celebrate the tenacity of marine life and contemplate the symphony of resilience that unfolds against the backdrop of climate change. In this narrative, the dynamic equilibrium of fluctuating environments assumes a hallowed role, reminding us that amidst the storm of change, life’s resilience is both the orchestra and the audience. Circadian rhythms, migrations, and behaviours emerge as symphonies of anticipation, allowing species to thrive amidst the fluctuations (Frölicher et al., 2020). Yet, the harmonious resonance of these mechanisms faces discord as human-induced change disrupts the age-old cues, challenging the very foundations of survival.
In the grand tapestry of existence, the interplay of climate and physiology weaves a story of adaptation and survival. As coastal ecosystems continue to evolve under the pressures of a changing climate, it is imperative that we embrace the lessons offered by these fluctuating environments (Fusi et al., 2022). The ocean’s symphony, composed of intricate rhythms and harmonies, reminds us that life’s resilience is not a static trait but an ever-evolving dance of survival. By studying the impact of climate change on coastal environmental variability and aquatic physiology, we unearth the secrets of this dance—a dance that holds the key to understanding the intricate web of life and safeguarding its future in a world of fluctuations.
Author contributions
FG: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. GL: Writing–review and editing. MF: Writing–review and editing.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The authors declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.
Publisher’s note
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References
Bitter M. C., Wong J. M., Dam H. G., Donelan S. C., Kenkel C. D., Komoroske L. M., et al. (2021). Fluctuating selection and global change: a synthesis and review on disentangling the roles of climate amplitude, predictability and novelty. Proc. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 288, 20210727. doi:10.1098/rspb.2021.0727
Booth J., Fusi M., Giomi F., Chapman E., Diele K., McQuaid C. (2021). Diel oxygen fluctuation drives the thermal response and metabolic performance of coastal marine ectotherms. Proc. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 288, 20211141. doi:10.1098/rspb.2021.1141
Frazão Santos C., Agardy T., Andrade F., Calado H., Crowder L. B., Ehler C. N., et al. (2020). Integrating climate change in ocean planning. Nat. Sustain. 3, 505–516. doi:10.1038/s41893-020-0513-x
Frölicher T. L., Ramseyer L., Raible C. C., Rodgers K. B., Dunne J. (2020). Potential predictability of marine ecosystem drivers. Biogeosciences 17, 2061–2083. doi:10.5194/bg-17-2061-2020
Fusi M., Marasco R., Ramond J., Barausse A., Baldanzi S. (2022). Editorial: fluctuating habitats: ecological relevance of environmental variability and predictability on species, communities, and ecosystems. Front. Ecol. Evol. 10, 1–4. doi:10.3389/fevo.2022.907622
Fusi M., Rigaud S., Guadagnin G., Barausse A., Marasco R., Daffonchio D., et al. (2023). Ideas and perspectives: the fluctuating nature of oxygen shapes the ecology of aquatic habitats and their biogeochemical cycles – the aquatic oxyscape. Biogeosciences 20, 3509–3521. doi:10.5194/bg-20-3509-2023
Giomi F., Barausse A., Duarte C. M., Booth J., Agusti S., Saderne V., et al. (2019). Oxygen supersaturation protects coastal marine fauna from ocean warming. Sci. Adv. 5, eaax1814–8. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax1814
Giomi F., Barausse A., Steckbauer A., Daffonchio D., Duarte C. M., Fusi M. (2023). Oxygen dynamics in marine productive ecosystems at ecologically relevant scales. Nat. Geosci. 16, 560–566. doi:10.1038/s41561-023-01217-z
Keywords: coastal ecosystems, climate change, aquatic physiology, environmental variability, marine life resilience, climate-induced fluctuations
Citation: Giomi F, Lannig G and Fusi M (2023) Editorial: Impact of climate change on coastal environmental variability and aquatic physiology. Front. Physiol. 14:1305645. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1305645
Received: 02 October 2023; Accepted: 19 October 2023;
Published: 27 October 2023.
Edited and reviewed by:
Gretchen E. Hofmann, University of California, Santa Barbara, United StatesCopyright © 2023 Giomi, Lannig and Fusi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Folco Giomi, folcog@gmail.com