Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea

The South China Sea, a key biodiversity hotspot in the Central Indo-Pacific, hosts a rich array of coral reef species and marine life but faces growing threats from climate change and human activities. This study systematically analyzes coral reef research in the region using a bibliometric analysis...

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Main Authors: Junhui Chen, Fei Tang, Heshan Lin, Bo Huang, Xueping Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1619275/full
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author Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Fei Tang
Fei Tang
Fei Tang
Heshan Lin
Heshan Lin
Heshan Lin
Bo Huang
Bo Huang
Bo Huang
Xueping Lin
Xueping Lin
Xueping Lin
author_facet Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Fei Tang
Fei Tang
Fei Tang
Heshan Lin
Heshan Lin
Heshan Lin
Bo Huang
Bo Huang
Bo Huang
Xueping Lin
Xueping Lin
Xueping Lin
author_sort Junhui Chen
collection DOAJ
description The South China Sea, a key biodiversity hotspot in the Central Indo-Pacific, hosts a rich array of coral reef species and marine life but faces growing threats from climate change and human activities. This study systematically analyzes coral reef research in the region using a bibliometric analysis of records from the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis highlights the diverse roles of contributing countries and their collaborations, with China emerging as a significant contributor to the regional scientific output. Our findings categorize the research into five principal themes through text mining and bibliographic coupling: (1) fundamental physical-biological interactions within reef systems, (2) biodiversity and symbiotic relationships in response to environmental stress, (3) climatic influences and the adaptive responses of reef systems, (4) conservation strategies and management practices for reef resilience, and (5) remote sensing and algorithmic approaches for reef mapping and monitoring. The discussion addresses regional challenges, outlines the identified research framework, and details key trends in South China Sea coral reef research, thereby providing essential information to guide future development and conservation efforts.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-7745
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Marine Science
spelling doaj-art-37099d0a9bed442f9d7fb1d5bd7e5c0a2025-08-20T03:50:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-07-011210.3389/fmars.2025.16192751619275Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China SeaJunhui Chen0Junhui Chen1Junhui Chen2Junhui Chen3Fei Tang4Fei Tang5Fei Tang6Heshan Lin7Heshan Lin8Heshan Lin9Bo Huang10Bo Huang11Bo Huang12Xueping Lin13Xueping Lin14Xueping Lin15Island Research Center, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Island Conservation and Development, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaObservation and Research Station of Island and Coastal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaInstitute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaIsland Research Center, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Island Conservation and Development, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaObservation and Research Station of Island and Coastal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaIsland Research Center, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Island Conservation and Development, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaObservation and Research Station of Island and Coastal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaIsland Research Center, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Island Conservation and Development, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaObservation and Research Station of Island and Coastal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaIsland Research Center, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Island Conservation and Development, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaObservation and Research Station of Island and Coastal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaThe South China Sea, a key biodiversity hotspot in the Central Indo-Pacific, hosts a rich array of coral reef species and marine life but faces growing threats from climate change and human activities. This study systematically analyzes coral reef research in the region using a bibliometric analysis of records from the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis highlights the diverse roles of contributing countries and their collaborations, with China emerging as a significant contributor to the regional scientific output. Our findings categorize the research into five principal themes through text mining and bibliographic coupling: (1) fundamental physical-biological interactions within reef systems, (2) biodiversity and symbiotic relationships in response to environmental stress, (3) climatic influences and the adaptive responses of reef systems, (4) conservation strategies and management practices for reef resilience, and (5) remote sensing and algorithmic approaches for reef mapping and monitoring. The discussion addresses regional challenges, outlines the identified research framework, and details key trends in South China Sea coral reef research, thereby providing essential information to guide future development and conservation efforts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1619275/fullcoral reefsSouth China Seabibliometric analysisclimate changeresearch development
spellingShingle Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Junhui Chen
Fei Tang
Fei Tang
Fei Tang
Heshan Lin
Heshan Lin
Heshan Lin
Bo Huang
Bo Huang
Bo Huang
Xueping Lin
Xueping Lin
Xueping Lin
Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea
Frontiers in Marine Science
coral reefs
South China Sea
bibliometric analysis
climate change
research development
title Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea
title_full Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea
title_fullStr Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea
title_full_unstemmed Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea
title_short Mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the South China Sea
title_sort mapping the research framework and key trends of coral reefs in the south china sea
topic coral reefs
South China Sea
bibliometric analysis
climate change
research development
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1619275/full
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