Assessment of marine eutrophication: Challenges and solutions ahead

Marine eutrophication remains a pressing global environmental challenge, demanding urgent advances in science-based assessment frameworks to mitigate its ecological and socio-economic impacts. Current methodologies, however, face critical limitations, including overly complex indicator systems, high spatiotemporal variability in coastal and marine environments, challenges in distinguishing natural and anthropogenic drivers, and pervasive data scarcity. These issues often result in discrepancies between assessment outcomes and observed eutrophication dynamics, undermining management efficacies. This study proposes a refined assessment framework integrating emerging technologies to enhance diagnostic resolution and accuracy. Strategic priorities include reefing feasible indicators, harmonizing multi-source data, establishing ecosystem-specific thresholds, and leveraging innovations in machine learning and remote sensing. The proposed framework bridges the gap between eutrophication science and actionable governance solutions, providing robust evidence for policymakers to safeguard marine biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability.