Thermal Sensitivity of Phage–Host Interactions and Climate Impact: A Short Review

Abstract

Global warming significantly influences microbial ecosystems by altering temperature-dependent processes. Temperature modulates phage life cycle transitions, host interactions, and ecological distribution, thereby affecting microbial community dynamics and carbon fluxes. Notably, phages may mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through mechanisms such as enhanced methane oxidation via phage-encoded pmoC genes and viral shunting, which alters carbon sequestration in marine environments. While extensive studies have examined bacterial responses to temperature shifts, the specific role of bacteriophages (phages) under rising temperature conditions has rarely been considered. This review highlights the impact of rising temperatures on phage biology, including viral decay, adsorption, burst size, latency period, and virus-induced host mortality. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting microbial responses to climate change and harnessing phage-based strategies to reduce global warming. Moreover, this review underscores the need for targeted research on phage ecology under thermal stress to better estimate their role in global climate feedback systems.