Marine and Freshwater Biology (MFB)

Section Information

Marine and Freshwater Biology studies organisms and ecological processes in oceans, coasts, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater systems. It examines how aquatic species live, interact, adapt, and respond to environmental change across diverse aquatic habitats.

Modern aquatic biology combines field surveys, laboratory experiments, remote sensing, physiology, genetics, and ecosystem modeling to understand biodiversity, population dynamics, nutrient cycles, habitat function, and human impacts on aquatic systems. These approaches help guide conservation, fisheries management, and ecosystem restoration.

This section will publish research articles, case studies, and reviews on marine and freshwater organisms, aquatic ecosystems, biogeochemistry, adaptation, stress responses, conservation biology, aquatic resources, and applied studies supporting sustainable management of aquatic environments.

Scope

Aquatic Biodiversity and Systematics
- Taxonomy and classification of marine and freshwater organisms
- Patterns of species richness and endemism
- Evolutionary relationships and molecular systematics
- Biodiversity assessments in understudied regions
Population and Community Ecology
- Population dynamics and life-history strategies
- Food webs, trophic interactions, and community structure
- Predator–prey relationships and competitive interactions
- Community responses to disturbance and environmental gradients
Physiology, Behavior, and Adaptation
- Physiological adaptations to salinity, temperature, and oxygen
- Behavioral ecology of aquatic organisms
- Stress responses to pollutants, climate change, and habitat shifts
- Mechanisms of adaptation in extreme or variable environments
Aquatic Habitats and Ecosystem Processes
- Structure and function of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, rivers, and lakes
- Nutrient cycling, primary production, and ecosystem metabolism
- Hydrology, sediment dynamics, and habitat connectivity
- Role of keystone and foundation species in ecosystem stability
Human Impacts and Environmental Change
- Pollution, eutrophication, and harmful algal blooms
- Climate change effects, warming, acidification, and deoxygenation
- Habitat loss, fragmentation, and hydrological alteration
- Invasive species and anthropogenic stressors
Conservation and Restoration of Aquatic Systems
- Protection of endangered aquatic species and habitats
- Restoration of degraded wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems
- Marine protected areas and freshwater conservation strategies
- Nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based management
Aquatic Microbiology and Biogeochemistry
- Microbial diversity and function in aquatic environments
- Biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur
- Microbial processes driving water quality and ecosystem health
- Interactions among microbes, plants, and animals
Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, and Applied Studies
- Population assessments and sustainable harvesting strategies
- Freshwater and marine resource management
- Conservation aquaculture and stock enhancement
- Socioecological dimensions of aquatic resource use
Tools, Techniques, and Emerging Approaches
- Remote sensing, acoustic surveys, and underwater imaging
- Environmental DNA, genomics, and molecular monitoring
- Hydrodynamic and ecological modeling
- Long-term monitoring and integrated observation networks