Contextualizing the lake ecosystem syndromes and research development activities in Chilika Lake (Odisha coast, India): a bibliometric overview (1970-2021)

Chilika Lagoon is traditionally known as a productive study site for various areas of knowledge. It is also well-known for its successful ecological restoration in 2000, following ecological degradation due to siltation and proliferation of weeds in the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, Chilika Lagoon has been facing various coastal syndromes that are likely to worsen due to climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure on its waters and catchment area. This study analyzed bibliometric data from the Scopus database over the past five decades (1970-2021) to understand the ever-evolving publication pattern and research domains in Chilika Lagoon. A total of 457 records were selected for the analyzed period, with contributions from 944 authors, primarily in peer-reviewed journal articles (86%). Although the number of publications and citations is increasing, as expected, there is minimal international collaboration. An interesting pattern was found in publication and research themes, correlating with the evolving history of lagoon management and governance. The establishment of the Wetland Research and Training Centre led to a surge in research publications from 2002 onwards. However, a mismatch appears to exist between the research scope and publication records, as evidenced by the mere 11 seagrass-related records in Scopus, even though Chilika Lagoon hosts the second-largest seagrass patch in India. Simultaneously, there is a lack of research addressing the real-world challenges faced by the local people who depend on Chilika Lagoon for their livelihoods.