Cultural eutrophication: evolution of global scientific knowledge and regional gaps in Latin America
Abstract
Cultural eutrophication (CE) is one of the main anthropogenic pressures on aquatic ecosystems globally, primarily associated with excessive nutrient enrichment from intensive agriculture, wastewater discharges, and industrial activities. Despite its ecological and socio-environmental relevance, scientific knowledge regarding its distribution, terminology, causes, and affected ecosystems exhibits marked heterogeneity, particularly in regions like Latin America. This study systematically mapped the literature to characterize the evolution of scientific knowledge on CE between 2000 and 2023 by analyzing temporal trends, geographic distribution, types of ecosystems studied, and reported anthropogenic causes. A total of 321 articles indexed in Scopus were reviewed using the Publish or Perish software. The results show a sustained increase in publications, with the highest concentration between 2018 and 2021. Four main concepts were identified: eutrophication, coastal eutrophication, anthropogenic eutrophication, and cultural eutrophication, with the latter being the predominant term. Scientific production was concentrated mainly in North America and Europe, while Africa and Latin America remained underrepresented. Lakes were the most studied ecosystems, followed by estuaries and rivers, reflecting a predominance of research in continental environments. The main anthropogenic causes identified were agriculture, wastewater discharges, and industrial activities. In Latin America, 33 studies were recorded, mainly from Mexico and Guatemala, focusing on lakes. This study identifies significant geographic and ecosystemic gaps, highlighting the need to strengthen research in underrepresented regions and ecological systems.
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