Evolution of Research on Satellite-Based Monitoring for Algal Blooms in the African Great Lakes

Abstract Algal blooms pose significant environmental and economic challenges worldwide. As their impact increases, there is an urgent need to improve forecasting models that predict their occurrence, development, and trends. Understanding recent research developments in satellite-based monitoring of algal blooms in the African Great Lakes provides a vital foundation for creating effective early warning systems and improving both short- and long-term prediction accuracy. This paper systematically examines satellite-based studies of algal bloom dynamics in these lakes, analysing sixty-four scientific articles from 1960 to 2025 to identify main trends, gaps, common challenges, and efforts. The key objective is to advance the development and application of spaceborne- hyperspectral-LiDAR technology in real-time monitoring of algal blooms in African data-scarce region, with the African Great Lakes serving as a case study.