Microcrustaceans in rice fields: A scientometric analysis from 1977 to 2019
Maiby Glorize DA S Bandeira1, Karoline P Martins1, Cleber Palma-Silva1
1Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Av. Itália, s/n, Km 8, Carreiros, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciencias
|October 13, 2022
Summary
Rice fields harbor significant microcrustacean diversity, with studies increasingly focusing on active forms. These artificial environments hold substantial potential for storing diverse microcrustacean species.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biodiversity Studies
- Aquatic Entomology
Background:
- Rice fields, often perceived as artificial ecosystems, are increasingly recognized for their ecological significance.
- Microcrustaceans play crucial roles in aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning.
- Understanding the diversity and distribution of microcrustaceans in rice fields is essential for biodiversity conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global research trends on microcrustaceans in rice fields.
- To assess the potential of rice fields as reservoirs of microcrustacean diversity.
- To evaluate the focus on active versus dormant microcrustacean forms in scientific literature.
Main Methods:
- A scientometric analysis was conducted using data from Web of Science and Scopus databases.
- 77 studies published before 2019 were compiled and analyzed.
- Publication trends, geographical distribution, taxonomic focus, and species richness were quantified.
Main Results:
- Research on microcrustaceans in rice fields has shown a positive trend over 35 years.
- Studies originated from 18 countries, with a concentration in Japan, Italy, the United States, and Spain.
- Cladocera and Ostracoda were the most studied microcrustacean groups, with high species richness found in Italy, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, France, Japan, and Brazil.
- The majority of studies (87%) focused on active microcrustacean forms, with limited attention to dormant stages.
- Only 15.5% of rice-growing countries have documented their microcrustacean richness, indicating vast unexplored potential.
Conclusions:
- Rice fields represent valuable, yet under-explored, habitats for microcrustacean biodiversity.
- Future research should investigate dormant microcrustacean forms and expand geographical coverage.
- Conservation efforts should consider the ecological importance of microcrustaceans in agricultural landscapes.
