Impacts of Climate Change on the Marine Biota: From Molecules to Ecosystems

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 16849

Special Issue Editors

Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: aquaculture; biochemistry; climate change; ecophysiology; marine aquaponics
Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: global change biology; marine ecology; climate change; marine ecophysiology
1. Swire Institute of Marine Science, Division for Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
2. MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
Interests: behavioral ecology; neurogenomics; biogeography; evolution; physiology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a result of anthropogenic forcing, climate change has become an unprecedented challenge to marine life, with species relying on their capacity to acclimate, adapt or move, to thrive in or even survive forthcoming environmental threats. The associated environmental-related changes have prompted significant effects at different levels of biological organization, culminating in community structure modifications, range shifts, and biodiversity loss. Within this context, we have the pleasure to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue focused on the impacts of global environmental change (e.g., ocean warming, ocean acidification, and deoxygenation) on the marine biota. Our Special Issue will take into consideration studies performed under a broad set of subjects and disciplines, ranging from experimental biology (at a molecular, organism, and population level) to species phenology, comparative physiology and biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, ecotoxicology, fisheries, biological invasions, population dynamics, ecosystem functioning, and ecological forecasting. We invite scientists to provide their scientific-based insight and deliver the most recent and updated available knowledge on the addressed topics within a multidisciplinary and integrative perspective.

Dr. Tiago Repolho
Dr. Rui Rosa
Dr. José Ricardo Paula
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • global environmental change
  • marine ecosystems
  • ocean warming
  • ocean acidification
  • ocean deoxygenation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2451 KiB  
Article
Transcriptome Responses to Different Environments in Intertidal Zones in the Peanut Worm Sipunculus nudus
by Junwei Li, Jiufu Wen, Ruiping Hu, Surui Pei, Ting Li, Binbin Shan, Honghui Huang and Changbo Zhu
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1182; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091182 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 943
Abstract
The peanut worm (Sipunculus nudus) is an important intertidal species worldwide. Species living in the same aquaculture area might suffer different environmental impacts. To increase knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to environmental fluctuations, we performed a transcriptome analysis [...] Read more.
The peanut worm (Sipunculus nudus) is an important intertidal species worldwide. Species living in the same aquaculture area might suffer different environmental impacts. To increase knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to environmental fluctuations, we performed a transcriptome analysis of S. nudus from different intertidal zones using a combination of the SMRT platform and the Illumina sequencing platform. (1) A total of 105,259 unigenes were assembled, and 23,063 unigenes were perfectly annotated. The results of the PacBio Iso-Seq and IIIumina RNA-Seq enriched the genetic database of S. nudus. (2) A total of 830 DEGs were detected in S. nudus from the different groups. In particular, 33 DEGs had differential expression in the top nine KEGG pathways related to pathogens, protein synthesis, and cellular immune response and signaling. The results indicate that S. nudus from different zones experience different environmental stresses. (3) Several DEGs (HSPA1, NFKBIA, eEF1A, etc.) in pathways related to pathogens (influenza A, legionellosis, measles, and toxoplasmosis) had higher expression in groups M and L. HSPA1 was clearly enriched in most of the pathways, followed by NFKBIA. The results show that the peanut worms from the M and L tidal flats might have suffered more severe environmental conditions. (4) Some DEGs (MKP, MRAS, and HSPB1) were upregulated in peanut worms from the H tidal flat, and these DEGs were mainly involved in the MAPK signaling pathway. These results indicate that the MAPK pathway may play a vital role in the immune response of the peanut worm to the effects of different intertidal flats. This study provides a valuable starting point for further studies to elucidate the molecular basis of the response to different environmental stresses in S. nudus. Full article
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13 pages, 1433 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Deoxygenation and Hypoxia on Shark Embryos Anti-Predator Behavior and Oxidative Stress
by Jaquelino Varela, Sandra Martins, Melanie Court, Catarina Pereira Santos, José Ricardo Paula, Inês João Ferreira, Mário Diniz, Tiago Repolho and Rui Rosa
Biology 2023, 12(4), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040577 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
Climate change is leading to the loss of oxygen content in the oceans and endangering the survival of many marine species. Due to sea surface temperature warming and changing circulation, the ocean has become more stratified and is consequently losing its oxygen content. [...] Read more.
Climate change is leading to the loss of oxygen content in the oceans and endangering the survival of many marine species. Due to sea surface temperature warming and changing circulation, the ocean has become more stratified and is consequently losing its oxygen content. Oviparous elasmobranchs are particularly vulnerable as they lay their eggs in coastal and shallow areas, where they experience significant oscillations in oxygen levels. Here, we investigated the effects of deoxygenation (93% air saturation) and hypoxia (26% air saturation) during a short-term period (six days) on the anti-predator avoidance behavior and physiology (oxidative stress) of small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) embryos. Their survival rate decreased to 88% and 56% under deoxygenation and hypoxia, respectively. The tail beat rates were significantly enhanced in the embryos under hypoxia compared to those exposed to deoxygenation and control conditions, and the freeze response duration showed a significant opposite trend. Yet, at the physiological level, through the analyses of key biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST activities as well as HSP70, Ubiquitin, and MDA levels), we found no evidence of increased oxidative stress and cell damage under hypoxia. Thus, the present findings show that the projected end-of-the-century deoxygenation levels elicit neglectable biological effects on shark embryos. On the other hand, hypoxia causes a high embryo mortality rate. Additionally, hypoxia makes embryos more vulnerable to predators, because the increased tail beat frequency will enhance the release of chemical and physical cues that can be detected by predators. The shortening of the shark freeze response under hypoxia also makes the embryos more prone to predation. Full article
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16 pages, 1225 KiB  
Article
Camouflage and Exploratory Avoidance of Newborn Cuttlefish under Warming and Acidification
by Mélanie Court, José Ricardo Paula, Marta Macau, Eve Otjacques, Tiago Repolho, Rui Rosa and Vanessa Madeira Lopes
Biology 2022, 11(10), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11101394 - 24 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2393
Abstract
Ocean warming and acidification have been shown to elicit deleterious effects on cephalopod mollusks, especially during early ontogeny, albeit effects on behavior remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the effect of end-of-the-century projected levels of ocean warming [...] Read more.
Ocean warming and acidification have been shown to elicit deleterious effects on cephalopod mollusks, especially during early ontogeny, albeit effects on behavior remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the effect of end-of-the-century projected levels of ocean warming (W; + 3 °C) and acidification (A; 980 µatm pCO2) on Sepia officinalis hatchlings’ exploratory behavior and ability to camouflage in different substrate complexities (sand and black and white gravel). Cuttlefish were recorded in open field tests, from which mobility and exploratory avoidance behavior data were obtained. Latency to camouflage was registered remotely, and pixel intensity of body planes and background gravel were extracted from photographs. Hatching success was lowered under A and W combined (AW; 72.7%) compared to control conditions (C; 98.8%). Motion-related behaviors were not affected by the treatments. AW delayed camouflage response in the gravel substrate compared to W alone. Moreover, cuttlefish exhibited a higher contrast and consequently a stronger disruptive pattern under W, with no changes in background matching. These findings suggest that, although climate change may elicit relevant physiological challenges to cuttlefish, camouflage and mobility of these mollusks are not undermined under the ocean of tomorrow. Full article
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17 pages, 1287 KiB  
Article
Effects of Hypoxia on Coral Photobiology and Oxidative Stress
by Mark Deleja, José Ricardo Paula, Tiago Repolho, Marco Franzitta, Miguel Baptista, Vanessa Lopes, Silvia Simão, Vanessa F. Fonseca, Bernardo Duarte and Rui Rosa
Biology 2022, 11(7), 1068; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11071068 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2229
Abstract
Global ocean oxygen (O2) content is decreasing as climate change drives declines in oxygen solubility, strengthened stratification of seawater masses, increased biological oxygen consumption and coastal eutrophication. Studies on the biological effects of nocturnal decreased oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) on coral reefs [...] Read more.
Global ocean oxygen (O2) content is decreasing as climate change drives declines in oxygen solubility, strengthened stratification of seawater masses, increased biological oxygen consumption and coastal eutrophication. Studies on the biological effects of nocturnal decreased oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) on coral reefs are very scarce. Coral reefs are fundamental for supporting one quarter of all marine species and essential for around 275 million people worldwide. This study investigates acute physiological and photobiological responses of a scleractinian coral (Acropora spp.) to overnight hypoxic conditions (<2 mg/L of O2). Bleaching was not detected, and visual and physical aspects of corals remained unchanged under hypoxic conditions. Most photobiological-related parameters also did not show significant changes between treatments. In addition to this, no significant differences between treatments were observed in the pigment composition. However, hypoxic conditions induced a significant decrease in coral de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pigments and increase in DNA damage. Although the present findings suggest that Acropora spp. is resilient to some extent to short-term daily oxygen oscillations, long-term exposure to hypoxia, as predicted to occur with climate change, may still have deleterious effects on corals. Full article
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21 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Ocean Acidification Alleviates Dwarf Eelgrass (Zostera noltii) Lipid Landscape Remodeling under Warming Stress
by Bernardo Duarte, Tiago Repolho, José Ricardo Paula, Isabel Caçador, Ana Rita Matos and Rui Rosa
Biology 2022, 11(5), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11050780 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2046
Abstract
Coastal seagrass meadows provide a variety of essential ecological and economic services, including nursery grounds, sediment stabilization, nutrient cycling, coastal protection, and blue carbon sequestration. However, these ecosystems are highly threatened by ongoing climatic change. This study was aimed to understand how the [...] Read more.
Coastal seagrass meadows provide a variety of essential ecological and economic services, including nursery grounds, sediment stabilization, nutrient cycling, coastal protection, and blue carbon sequestration. However, these ecosystems are highly threatened by ongoing climatic change. This study was aimed to understand how the dwarf eelgrass Zostera noltii leaf lipid landscapes are altered under predicted ocean warming (+4 °C) and hypercapnic (ΔpH 0.4) conditions. Warming and hypercapnic conditions were found to induce a severe reduction in the leaf total fatty acid, though the combined treatment substantially alleviated this depletion. The lipid discrimination revealed a significant increase in the relative monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) content in both hypercapnic and warming conditions, allied to plastidial membrane stabilization mechanisms. Hypercapnia also promoted enhanced phosphatidylglycerol (PG) leaf contents, a mechanism often associated with thylakoid reinvigoration. In addition to changing the proportion of storage, galacto- and phospholipids, the tested treatments also impacted the FA composition of all lipid classes, with warming exposure leading to decreases in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); however, the combination of both stress conditions alleviated this effect. The observed galactolipid and phospholipid PUFA decreases are compatible with a homeoviscous adaptation, allowing for the maintenance of membrane stability by counteracting excessive membrane fluidity. Neutral lipid contents were substantially increased under warming conditions, especially in C18 fatty acids (C18), impairing their use as substrates for fatty acylated derivatives essential for maintaining the osmotic balance of cells. An analysis of the phospholipid and galactolipid fatty acid profiles as a whole revealed a higher degree of discrimination, highlighting the higher impact of warming and the proposed stress alleviation effect induced by increased water-dissolved CO2 availability. Still, it is essential to remember that the pace at which the ocean is warming can overcome the ameliorative capacity induced by higher CO2 availability, leaving seagrasses under severe heat stress beyond their lipid remodeling capacity. Full article
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23 pages, 4490 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Feeding on Briareum violacea Growth, Survival and Larval Development under Temperature and Salinity Stress
by De-Sing Ding, Sheng-Hao Wang, Wei-Ting Sun, Huang-Lin Liu and Chih-Hung Pan
Biology 2022, 11(3), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11030410 - 07 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1941
Abstract
In recent years, climate change has often caused fluctuations in seawater salinity and temperature, which threaten the survival and growth of corals. Effectively improving the stress response to temperature and salinity changes in corals to prevent bleaching is one of the important issues. [...] Read more.
In recent years, climate change has often caused fluctuations in seawater salinity and temperature, which threaten the survival and growth of corals. Effectively improving the stress response to temperature and salinity changes in corals to prevent bleaching is one of the important issues. This study initially explored the use of artificial polyunsaturated fatty acids to assess the ability of Briareum violacea to slow bleaching, enhance growth, stabilize larval development and reduce antistress factors (superoxide dismutase and catalase) when they were exposed to temperature and salinity stress. The salinities used in the experiment were 25, 30, 35 and 40 psu, and the temperatures were 20, 25 and 30 °C. It was divided into two parts: Experiment 1—Effects of temperature and salinity and feeding on digestive enzymes, reproduction and stress response of B. violacea; Experiment 2—Effects of temperature and salinity and feeding on the settlement and survival of larvae. The results showed that the feeding treatment group reduced the superoxide dismutase, catalase and mortality of corals under stress and significantly improved larval development and larval settlement. Full article
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19 pages, 1516 KiB  
Article
Antioxidative Properties of Baltic Sea Keystone Macroalgae (Fucus vesiculosus, Phaeophyceae) under Ocean Warming and Acidification in a Seasonally Varying Environment
by Angelika Graiff and Ulf Karsten
Biology 2021, 10(12), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10121330 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3482
Abstract
The keystone macroalga Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae), dominating shallow hard bottom zones, encounters a strongly and rapidly changing environment due to anthropogenic change over the last decades in the Baltic Sea. Thus, in four successive benthic mesocosm experiments, the single and joint effects of [...] Read more.
The keystone macroalga Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae), dominating shallow hard bottom zones, encounters a strongly and rapidly changing environment due to anthropogenic change over the last decades in the Baltic Sea. Thus, in four successive benthic mesocosm experiments, the single and joint effects of increased temperature (Δ + 5 °C) and pCO2 (1100 ppm) under ambient irradiances were experimentally tested on the antioxidative properties of western Baltic F. vesiculosus in all seasons. The antioxidative properties (superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation) as well as the sensitivity of F. vesiculosus photosynthetic performance (i.e., effective quantum yield) to oxidative stress under these global change scenarios were seasonally examined. F. vesiculosus exhibited high and relatively constant photosynthetic performance under artificial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stress in all seasons. High activities of superoxide dismutase and a relatively low degree of the biomarker for lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde concentration) were found in F. vesiculosus. Thus, Baltic F. vesiculosus is equipped with a high antioxidative potential to tolerate strong oxidative stress for at least short periods. Antioxidative properties of F. vesiculosus were more strongly affected by warming than by acidification, resulting in significantly increased malondialdehyde concentrations under elevated temperature levels in all seasons. Oxidative stress was enhanced in F. vesiculosus under warming but seem to be modulated by seasonally varying environmental conditions (e.g., high and low irradiances) and pCO2 levels. However, more frequent summer heatwaves reaching and surpassing lethal temperatures in shallow coastal waters may determine the F. vesiculosus population’s overall persistence in the Baltic Sea. Full article
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