Marine Functional Diversity: From Ecological Roles to Biotechnological Applications
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 29
Special Issue Editor
Interests: diversity; marine microorganisms; bacteria; symbiosis; metagenomics; dna barcoding; chemical ecology; phylogenetic analysis; secondary metabolites; taxonomy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The ocean’s immense species diversity has fueled a remarkable array of evolutionary adaptations for survival. In fiercely competitive marine ecosystems, organisms from microbial communities to complex invertebrates have developed sophisticated biological strategies to thrive. These strategies are often expressed through unique compounds that mediate critical ecological interactions, serving as potent defenses against predators, inhibitors of spatial competitors, and facilitators of symbiotic partnerships. The intense selective pressures of the marine realm have thus produced a living library of molecules, each refined by nature for a specific ecological application and potent biological effect.
This Special Issue of Diversity seeks to bridge fundamental ecology with applied science, exploring the compelling link between marine biodiversity and its functional applications. We will focus on how the immense diversity of species gives rise to novel survival strategies that hold tangible benefits for society.
We invite contributions that investigate the functional roles of adaptive strategies—including naturally produced compounds, peptides, and enzymes—that have evolved under specific ecological pressures. We are particularly interested in studies that connect the ecological purpose of these adaptations to the discovery of novel solutions in fields such as medicine, agriculture, the cosmetics and personal care industry, and industrial biotechnology.
By emphasizing the ecological context as the foundation for innovation, this issue will highlight how the study and conservation of marine biodiversity are crucial for sustainable discovery.
Dr. Jamshid Amiri Moghaddam
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- marine
- functional diversity
- ecological roles
- applied science
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