Marine and coastal ecosystems form critical junctions where terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric systems interact. These regions are especially prone to changes due to both natural occurrences and human activities, making them significantly susceptible to extreme stressors. Rich in biodiversity, these ecosystems include environments such as estuaries, lagoons, coastal waters, and coral reefs, providing crucial ecological services essential for various economic sectors like fishing and tourism. Despite their resilience, the ongoing strain of climate change-related phenomena—like rising temperatures and ocean acidification—combined with human pressures, such as coastal development, leaves these areas highly vulnerable.

The intention of this second volume is to illuminate the resilience and degradation patterns of marine and coastal areas under severe enduring and acute environmental stressors. It aims to gather rich, detailed case studies from different continents, offering insights into how these ecosystems react to such multifaceted pressures. The goal is to explore key environmental factors affecting their health and functionality during periods of extreme stress, whether natural or man-made.

To gather further insights in this domain, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Biological impacts of oceanic and climatic alterations
- Socio-economic consequences of ecosystem changes
- Advances in restoration and conservation strategies
- Interactions between natural disturbances and human-induced stress
- Innovative methodologies for monitoring and modeling ecosystem resilience

This enhanced scope will hopefully foster a deeper understanding of these ecosystems' dynamics, challenges, and opportunities for conservation and recovery under the duress of global change pressures.

This is the second volume of the Research Topic: Marine and Coastal Environments under Extreme Stress https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/20656/marine-and-coastal-environments-under-extreme-stress

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Frontiers in Marine Science

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