International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 221-231 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 223 deaths. Warming may also promote the vertical migration of harmful algal blooms, making them more likely to reach the ocean surface and aquaculture areas, thereby increasing the exposure risk for aquatic organisms. Figure 1 The impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems (Adopted from Griffith and Gobler, 2020) 2.4 Impact on biodiversity and species distribution Climate change is causing widespread shifts in species distributions, leading to changes in biodiversity and ecosystem structure. As species move to new areas, they can disrupt existing ecological interactions and create novel communities. This redistribution of species can have profound effects on ecosystem functioning and human well-being (Pecl et al., 2017). For instance, the redistribution of fish species in North America due to climate-induced changes in water temperature and salinity can lead to fish extinctions, invasions, and altered community structures. These changes highlight the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem health (Paukert et al., 2021). 3 Vulnerability of Aquatic Ecosystems 3.1 Sensitive ecosystems: coral reefs, wetlands, and estuaries Sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs, wetlands, and estuaries are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Coral reefs, for instance, are facing significant threats from rising sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification. Even under lower greenhouse gas emission scenarios, most warm-water coral reefs are projected to be eliminated by 2040~2050. Cold-water corals are also at risk, although the direct effects of climate change on these ecosystems are less clear (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2017). Estuaries, which are critical for various species and ecological processes, are similarly vulnerable. Climate change impacts such as altered river flows, increased storm frequency, and sea-level rise are expected to significantly affect estuarine hydrology and species distribution. Wetlands, which provide essential services such as water filtration and habitat for numerous species, are also at risk due to changes in precipitation patterns and sea-level rise (Farr et al., 2021).
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