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Article Type

Review

Subject Area

Hydrobiology

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly affecting aquatic ecosystems, including microalgae (phytoplankton), which play a crucial role as primary producers and account for nearly half of global carbon fixation. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding the effects of climate change on microalgae from physiological, ecological, and molecular perspectives. Increased temperatures, ocean acidification, changes in light regimes, and nutrient variability greatly affect microalgal growth, photosynthesis, and community structure, often promoting smaller and more stress-tolerant species. These changes also contribute to the expansion and intensification of harmful algal blooms, with serious ecological and economic consequences. Microalgae exhibit diverse adaptive responses, including metabolic reprogramming, activation of antioxidant systems, and regulation of gene expression, as revealed by recent omics-based studies. Their high phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolutionary capacity enable partial adaptation to ongoing environmental changes. However, projections toward the end of the century (2100) suggest that continued warming, increased stratification, and nutrient limitation may lead to significant shifts in global phytoplankton distribution and productivity. Despite these challenges, microalgae offer promising opportunities for climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and sustainable biotechnological applications. Understanding microalgal responses and adaptive potential is essential for predicting ecosystem dynamics and supporting sustainable environmental management under future climate scenarios

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