A Bibliometric Review of Seagrass Research in the Philippines (2014–2024): Trends, Disciplinary Focus, and Future Directions

Seagrass ecosystems contribute significantly to both ecological stability and economic resilience. They serve as crucial feeding habitats for dugongs, nurseries for young marine organisms, and significant natural carbon sinks that help mitigate climate change. Despite their importance, seagrass habitats face a range of natural and anthropogenic threats. Previous review papers highlighted regional knowledge gaps in seagrasses across Southeast Asia. However, these studies lack country-specific insights, which is important in developing strategies to address unique issues within a country. This review focuses on generating localized knowledge and providing insights vital for country-specific policies and management strategies. It evaluates trends in seagrass research in the Philippines from 2014 to mid-2024, retrieved from Google Scholar using the keyword “seagrass studies in the Philippines.” The collected articles were compiled in Microsoft Excel for analysis. A total of 123 published articles were identified, a significant increase compared to the last two to three decades. Most publications consist of research articles, followed by reviews and notes. Geographically, Mindanao is the most studied region, with natural sciences emerging as the dominant discipline. Ecology receives the most attention, while physiology, biology, and molecular studies remain significantly underexplored, highlighting the need for further research in these fields. Collectively, seagrass research trends in the Philippines show temporal fluctuations, possibly influenced by external factors that cause periodic increases and decreases in output. Directing research efforts toward underexplored areas is recommended for adaptive management of seagrasses.