A Review Of Adaptation To Climate Change Strategies By Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Benthic And Fish Communities In A Tropical And Sub-Tropical Coastal Estuarine Ecosystem

Abstract

Climate change, a global environmental phenomenon, is recognized as a major threat to survival of species and integrity of ecosystem world-wide. Adaptation strategies by species assemblages in an ecosystem are therefore aimed at reducing mortality, while they are expected to increase survival flexibilities of the species or group of species to a given climate variability scenario. These scenarios are known to impact directly and/or indirectly on the distribution, abundance, diversity, reproduction, growth and species composition. This paper reviews the adaptive strategies that will or are expected to enhance the survival of phytoplankton, zooplankton on and benthic communities/assemblages in the tropical and sub-tropical coastal waters, their community structure, life processes and roles in the ecosystem.