International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 221-231 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 221 Feature Review Open Access Climate Change and Aquatic Ecosystem Health: Impacts, Adaptation Strategies, and Future Challenges Xuelian Jiang, Wenfang Wang Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: wenfang.wang@jicat.org International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0022 Received: 10 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 31 Jul., 2024 Published: 28 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Jiang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Jiang X.L., and Wang W.F., 2024, Climate change and aquatic ecosystem health: impacts, adaptation strategies, and future challenges, International Journal of Aquaculture, 14(4): 221-231 (doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0022) Abstract Aquatic ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and oceans, rely on stable climatic conditions to maintain their complex biological networks and ecological functions. However, as global temperatures rise, precipitation patterns change, and ocean acidification intensifies, these systems are facing unprecedented challenges. This study provides a detailed analysis of the impacts of climate change on water temperature, ocean acidification, the hydrological cycle, and biodiversity. It highlights the potential risks to sensitive ecosystems and vulnerable species and proposes adaptation strategies, including the establishment of marine protected areas, the application of habitat restoration techniques, and measures to enhance ecosystem resilience. Through multiple successful case studies, the study summarizes key lessons learned in climate change adaptation and points to future research directions. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which climate change impacts aquatic ecosystems, providing a scientific basis for the protection and restoration of these systems, thereby promoting the achievement of sustainable development goals. Keywords Climate change; Aquatic ecosystems; Ecosystem resilience; Ocean acidification; Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 1 Introduction Climate change is an unprecedented global phenomenon driven predominantly by human activities, leading to significant alterations in environmental conditions across the planet. Aquatic ecosystems, encompassing both freshwater and marine environments, are particularly vulnerable to these changes. The impacts of climate change on these ecosystems are multifaceted, including increased water temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and rising sea levels, which collectively disrupt the delicate balance of aquatic habitats (Häder and Barnes, 2019). For instance, many lakes are experiencing shorter ice cover periods and longer summer stratified seasons, resulting in warmer water temperatures and reduced dissolved oxygen levels, which can lead to harmful algal blooms and loss of habitat for cold-water species (Woolway et al., 2022). Similarly, coastal ecosystems are facing threats from sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which jeopardize the livelihoods of communities dependent on these ecosystems. The health of aquatic ecosystems is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, ensuring water quality, and providing essential ecosystem services that support human well-being. These ecosystems are integral to the global water cycle, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, and they offer habitat for a wide range of species, including those critical for fisheries and aquaculture (Griffith and Gobler, 2020; Pandit and Sharma, 2023). Aquatic ecosystems contribute to cultural and recreational values and are vital for the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. The degradation of these ecosystems due to climate change can lead to significant socio-economic consequences, including reduced food security, increased prevalence of water-borne diseases, and loss of income from tourism and fisheries (Hernández-Delgado, 2015; Pecl et al., 2017). This study aims to comprehensively analyze the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystem health, explore adaptation strategies that can mitigate these impacts, and identify challenges that need to be addressed in the future. By synthesizing current knowledge, this study will highlight the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on aquatic communities, habitats, and ecosystem functions, examine and provide insights into the effectiveness of various adaptation strategies implemented in different regions and ecosystems, and discuss key
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