Sandy beach research in Mexico: networks, themes, scales and challenges

A bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the contribution of different disciplines to the current scientific knowledge of Mexican sandy beaches as a foundation for their management as social-ecological systems. The literature was retrieved from three bibliographic repositories: Scopus, Web of Science, and Redalyc. Scientific production and links between researchers and institutions, as well as major research themes, were analyzed using science mapping. Additionally, the spatial-temporal scales of the studies were explored, and a heat map was constructed to detect the focal areas where sandy beach research has been conducted in Mexico. The scientific production showed a trend of increase but is still uneven. Authors are more prone to publish in internationally outstanding journals; however, three Mexican journals appear in the top publication sources. Most research effort has concentrated on the field of geomorphology with limited multidisciplinary studies. Moreover, studies encompassing large spatial and temporal scales are rare. These results allowed us to depict the main research gaps in the scientific knowledge of Mexican beaches, as well as the emerging challenges for generating scientifically sound information to support their management as social-ecological systems. Beach research in Mexico should be addressed as a fully unified national effort. There is a need for long-term beach monitoring systems, and to promote investigations encompassing aspects like health, safety, and governance of beaches. Notwithstanding this, at least three large coastal sections (Mayan Riviera, north Yucatán Peninsula, and north Pacific California Peninsula) have the potential to develop pilot initiatives of integrated beach management.