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<p>Mesophotic ecosystems (MEs), located at depths from about 30–150&#xa0;m, constitute up to 80% of reef areas worldwide and support rich and unique biodiversity. However, MEs face increasing pressure from anthropogenic threats, with knowledge gaps hindering their effective conservation and management. Employing topic modeling methodology, we analyzed 1,103 articles published on MEs from 1958 to 2024 and identified 19 research topics, uncovering their similarities, specificities, trends, and gaps. Advancements such as technical diving, high-resolution underwater imaging, and genetic sequencing techniques, coupled with the rise of open-access journals, have positively impacted ME research. Topics showed a gradient of specificity and formed seven groups based on content similarities. <i>Anthropogenic impacts and management</i>, <i>New species description</i>, and <i>Photosymbiosis</i> emerged as “hot topics” due to their steady increase in popularity, and only <i>Geomorphology and sedimentology</i> was categorized as “cold.” Smaller research gaps occurred between similar topics (e.g., <i>Biogeography</i> and <i>New species description</i>), while large gaps were identified for more specific topics. Notably, <i>Trophic ecology</i> and <i>Movement ecology and spawning aggregations</i> emerged as topics requiring stronger integration with others. Scrutiny of “taxa-centric” topics (i.e., focused on one or a few taxa) revealed a bias toward corals and fish, with substantial gaps for other taxa. Research on temperate MEs is highly related to the Mediterranean Sea, emerging as a distinct, region-specific topic that contrasts with the thematic dispersion of studies from other regions. To improve our understanding of the biology, ecology, and functioning of MEs, future research should focus on broader taxonomic spectra, including dominant mesophotic groups (e.g., sponges and crustose calcareous algae), and address adjacent ecosystems that are interconnected with MEs, such as rhodolith beds. Bridging these gaps through collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts is essential for advancing research and guiding effective conservation strategies for MEs amid increased local impacts and global changes.</p>

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Mesophotic ecosystems: a topic modeling analysis of research trends and gaps

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

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  • Thomás Banha,
  • Hudson T. Pinheiro,
  • Ronaldo B. Francini-Filho,
  • Osmar J. Luiz

摘要

Mesophotic ecosystems (MEs), located at depths from about 30–150 m, constitute up to 80% of reef areas worldwide and support rich and unique biodiversity. However, MEs face increasing pressure from anthropogenic threats, with knowledge gaps hindering their effective conservation and management. Employing topic modeling methodology, we analyzed 1,103 articles published on MEs from 1958 to 2024 and identified 19 research topics, uncovering their similarities, specificities, trends, and gaps. Advancements such as technical diving, high-resolution underwater imaging, and genetic sequencing techniques, coupled with the rise of open-access journals, have positively impacted ME research. Topics showed a gradient of specificity and formed seven groups based on content similarities. Anthropogenic impacts and management, New species description, and Photosymbiosis emerged as “hot topics” due to their steady increase in popularity, and only Geomorphology and sedimentology was categorized as “cold.” Smaller research gaps occurred between similar topics (e.g., Biogeography and New species description), while large gaps were identified for more specific topics. Notably, Trophic ecology and Movement ecology and spawning aggregations emerged as topics requiring stronger integration with others. Scrutiny of “taxa-centric” topics (i.e., focused on one or a few taxa) revealed a bias toward corals and fish, with substantial gaps for other taxa. Research on temperate MEs is highly related to the Mediterranean Sea, emerging as a distinct, region-specific topic that contrasts with the thematic dispersion of studies from other regions. To improve our understanding of the biology, ecology, and functioning of MEs, future research should focus on broader taxonomic spectra, including dominant mesophotic groups (e.g., sponges and crustose calcareous algae), and address adjacent ecosystems that are interconnected with MEs, such as rhodolith beds. Bridging these gaps through collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts is essential for advancing research and guiding effective conservation strategies for MEs amid increased local impacts and global changes.