Low Representation in International Databases of Brazilian Research on Coastal Dune Geoheritage

Coastal dune systems are important for the environment and society, serving as habitats and protecting coastal areas from marine flooding and erosion. Brazil, a global influence in geoheritage research, has significant dune systems, such as Lençóis Maranhenses and Dunas do Albardão. However, considering Brazil's extensive coastline and the weakening of its coastal protection laws, a unified understanding of the threats to and geoconservation strategies for coastal dunes is needed. Therefore, this study explores and analyzes these aspects in Brazilian indexed scientific production on geoheritage and geoconservation of coastal dunes, using bibliometric and bibliographic techniques in Web of Science and Scopus databases, from 1990 to 2024. Brazilian research on this topic of coastal dunes has low international representation, with only seven articles indexed in the analyzed databases. All articles were published through research conducted by public Higher Education Institutions. Key authors are affiliated with institutions in Rio de Janeiro state. Urbanization is the primary threat identified, causing sediment suppression and disrupting dune dynamics. Geoconservation strategies focus on inventory, valuation, and threat diagnosis, but lack practical guidelines. Reflecting the emerging nature of this research topic, this study offers an integrated perspective. Future research should focus on practical strategies, including practical socioeconomic, political and legal aspects, for the effective geoconservation of these environments and increasing Brazil's representation on the international scientific landscape.