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JMSE
Special Issues
Marine Biodiversity and Ecophysiology Under Changing Marine Habitats
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Marine Biodiversity and Ecophysiology Under Changing Marine Habitats

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2025 | Viewed by 1056

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Genuario Belmonte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Zoogeography and Fauna, DiSTeBA (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: pelagic biodiversity; zoology; ecology and evolution; aquatic ecosystems; zooplankton; marine biology; crustacea copepoda; biogeography; aquatic fauna; systematics (taxonomy); species list; biometry; invasive species; submarine caves; scientific museum
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Giulia Lionetto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Itay
Interests: carbonic anhydrase; antioxidant; biomarkers; oxidative stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine biodiversity is correlated with the health and stability of marine habitats. Biodiversity is significantly impacted by variations in environmental conditions, whether due to natural processes or anthropogenic activities. Addressing the challenges posed by changing marine habitats requires a comprehensive and integrated approach to preserve their rich biodiversity. Apart from the recognition of how many life strategies (the biodiversity) can co-exist in the same habitat and the complex frame in which this goal can be realized, a clarifying contribution comes from ecophysiology, which focuses on the acclimatation and responses of organisms to their natural habitats, particularly how they adapt, survive, and maintain their ecological roles in the present dynamic scenario. Ecophysiology elucidates the mechanisms behind diversity in marine environments, referring to the variations in physiological traits and functions at intra- and inter-species levels, as well as across different ecosystems, as a key component of biodiversity, underpinning ecological interactions and ecosystem functions.

This Special Issue aims to cover the most recent insights into research on marine biodiversity and ecophysiology under changing marine habitats, with a particular emphasis on emerging approaches and methodologies.

Prof. Dr. Genuario Belmonte
Dr. Maria Giulia Lionetto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ontogenetic diversity
  • marine habitats
  • community dynamics
  • ecophysiology
  • physiological diversity
  • phenotypic plasticity
  • climate change
  • habitat stressors

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 3701 KiB  
Article
Surviving in a Warmer Marine World: A Study on the Impact of Thermal Effluent on Posidonia oceanica Meadows and Associated Fish Assemblages in the Maltese Islands
by Alessio Marrone, Alessandro Rinaldi, Valeria Montalto, Adam Gauci, Francesca Ape, Henri Ringeard, Marco Spoto, Marco Martinez, Emanuela Claudia La Marca, Simone Mirto and Alan Deidun
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(3), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030475 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 614
Abstract
Ocean warming poses significant threats to coastal ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of thermal effluents from power plants, as proxies for climate-driven temperatures increase, on Posidonia oceanica meadows and associated fish communities. Using a gradient-based approach, we analyzed environmental variables, seagrass indicators, [...] Read more.
Ocean warming poses significant threats to coastal ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of thermal effluents from power plants, as proxies for climate-driven temperatures increase, on Posidonia oceanica meadows and associated fish communities. Using a gradient-based approach, we analyzed environmental variables, seagrass indicators, fish assemblages, and functional group (FG) dynamics across a thermal gradient extending from the effluent outfall itself. Results indicate that temperature is the dominant factor influencing P. oceanica, with reduced leaf length, shoot density, and rhizome weight characterizing samples closest to the effluent. Despite compensatory mechanisms, the overall photosynthetic biomass and resilience declined under thermal stress. Fish assemblages exhibited reduced species richness and biodiversity close to the thermal effluent, with opportunistic and thermophilic species dominating. An FG analysis revealed disrupted seasonal patterns, shifts in trophic dynamics, and functional compensation among species, highlighting potential ecological imbalances. Notably, transient predators thrived near the effluent, while more sedentary and temperate species were displaced. These findings underscore the cascading effects of rising temperatures on coastal habitats such as P. oceanica meadows and their associated communities, emphasizing the urgency for conservation measures. By identifying critical thresholds and adaptive responses, this study contributes valuable insights into the consequences of localized impacts of thermal stress on coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biodiversity and Ecophysiology Under Changing Marine Habitats)
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