Evolving framework of studies on global gulf ecosystems with Sustainable Development Goals

Gulf ecosystems provide many beneficial services to humanity and play a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the sustainability of gulf ecosystems has been severely threatened by climatic and anthropogenic stresses. Using network analysis of article records downloaded from Web of Science, we summarize the current research framework of gulf ecosystems via the perspectives of research themes, interdisciplinarity, and international collaborations. Research themes involve nutrient and eutrophication, biodiversity, mangrove and sediment pollution, and ecosystem service and climate change. Nevertheless, these themes usually focus on gulf ecosystems themselves with little consideration of their connectivity with other ecosystems. Interdisciplinarity has remained mostly within natural sciences while international collaborations exist mainly between developed and developing countries and among developed countries. Combined with the SDGs, we propose the future research framework where research themes should consider the impacts of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems on gulf ecosystems at the watershed scale. Interdisciplinarity between natural and social and management sciences needs to be promoted by utilizing the advantages of data sciences. Collaborations with developing countries led by China, Mexico, Brazil, and India need to be strengthened. The evolved research framework could offer decision support for stakeholders to manage gulf ecosystems and achieve the SDGs.

Automated summary

Gulf ecosystems provide valuable services and play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, but their sustainability is threatened by climatic and anthropogenic pressures. The current research framework focuses mainly on the Gulf ecosystems themselves, with limited consideration of their connectivity with other ecosystems. Interdisciplinary collaborations are mostly within natural sciences, and international collaborations are mainly between developed and developing countries. The future research framework should consider the impacts of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems on Gulf ecosystems and promote interdisciplinary collaborations between natural and social and management sciences. Stronger collaborations with developing countries such as China, Mexico, Brazil, and India are needed.