Work

A scientometric analysis and systematic review on climate change and coastal wetlands

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Coastal wetlands, including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows, are crucial ecosystems facing existential threats from climate change drivers such as accelerated sea-level rise, intensified storms, and warming temperatures. Although numerous studies have focused on climate change and coastal wetlands, a comprehensive, data-driven synthesis of the field’s intellectual structure, evolution, and future trajectory is lacking. This study presents a novel mixed-methods systematic review, integrating quantitative scientometric analysis of 1872 publications (2005–2025) with an in-depth qualitative systematic analysis of 95 key articles. The bibliographic data was obtained from the Scopus database, and a Python-based analytical pipeline is utilized. This review maps the field’s exponential growth, influential contributions, and collaboration networks. The analysis identifies five main research clusters: Blue Carbon Biogeochemistry, Geomorphic Response to Sea-Level Rise, Ecosystem Ecology and Services, Vulnerability and Adaptation, and Advanced Monitoring and Modeling. The systematic synthesis indicates a shift from impact documentation to solution-oriented research focused on nature-based solutions (NbS) and blue carbon finance. However, critical knowledge gaps remain. We propose five future research directions: (1) artificial intelligence (AI)-driven wetland and advanced geospatial technologies for predictive management; (2) optimized design and scalability of NbS; (3) blue carbon market integrity and social equity; (4) adaptive governance development for social-ecological systems; and (5) urgent address of ethical and legal dimensions of adaptation. This review offers a seminal reference for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, providing a holistic approach to enhancing the resilience and conservation of these ecosystems in an era of unprecedented global change.

Source: Discover Sustainability

DOI: 10.1007/s43621-026-04686-5

Authors: Francis Quayson, Xiaoli Ding

Institution: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Language: English

Topic: Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,390