A bibliometric review on marine ecological environment governance: Development and prospects (1990–2022)

Marine ecological environmental management constitutes a fundamental pillar in the establishment of a comprehensive worldwide marine governance framework. Employing bibliometric methodologies, this article systematically explores and explicates the developmental history and prevailing focal points of research pertaining to marine ecological environmental governance spanning the period from 1990 to 2022. The findings of this study unveil an exponential surge in the publication of relevant literature since 2013. Notably, the majority of these research has been disseminated through high-impact journals such as Ecological Indicators, Science of the Total Environment and Marine Pollution Bulletin. Throughout the past three decades, the global pursuit of marine ecological environmental governance has evolved from an initial emphasis on pollution sources to the protection of ecosystems, subsequently including global environmental concerns, thus embracing problem-oriented and comprehensive solutions. The results of this study demonstrate that the present focal points predominantly revolve around the implications of microplastic pollution on marine sediments, the mechanisms underlying the restoration of marine ecosystems in nature reserves, as well as the analysis of factors driving environmental changes and the formulation of corresponding response strategies. Finally, this article proffers a number of recommendations and perspectives for future research in global marine ecological environmental governance.