Bacterial associations in seagrass ecosystems: A systematic review of microbial diversity and ecological roles

Seagrasses are important marine plants that support coastal ecosystems, yet their bacterial associations remain insufficiently explored. This bibliometric study and meta-analysis examine bacterial communities associated with seagrass species, focusing on their roles in plant health, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning. A comprehensive search was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases, applying the Boolean keywords: ("bacteria*" OR "bacterial*" OR "microbe*" OR "microbial*") AND ("seagrass*" OR "Phyllospadix*" OR "Zostera*" OR "Enhalus*" OR "Halophila*" OR "Thalassia*" OR "Posidonia*" OR "Amphibolis*" OR "Cymodocea*" OR "Halodule*" OR "Syringodium*" OR "Thalassodendron*"). The review reveals a wide diversity of bacterial groups, including endophytic, epiphytic, and rhizosphere bacteria, with significant functions in nutrient cycling, disease resistance, and plant-microbe interactions. However, research gaps persist,particularly in understanding the functional roles of these microbial communities under varying environmental conditions. This study provide a comprehensive systhesis that highlights the importance of bacterial diversity associations in seagrass ecosystem. Crucially, this review presents a profound new perspective oe critical new insight into their ecological roles, solidifying the foundation for future microbe-based conservation and management strategies.