Bacterial associations in seagrass ecosystems: A systematic review of microbial diversity and ecological roles

¹ Marine Science Study Program, Postgraduate Program, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
² Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
³ Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Ancol, Jakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding Author : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Seagrasses are important marine plants that support coastal ecosystems, yet their bacterial associations remain insufficiently explored. This bibliometric study and meta-analysis examine bacterial communities associated with seagrass species, focusing on their roles in plant health, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning. A comprehensive search was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases, applying the Boolean keywords: ("bacteria*" OR "bacterial*" OR "microbe*" OR "microbial*") AND ("seagrass*" OR "Phyllospadix*" OR "Zostera*" OR "Enhalus*" OR "Halophila*" OR "Thalassia*" OR "Posidonia*" OR "Amphibolis*" OR "Cymodocea*" OR "Halodule*" OR "Syringodium*" OR "Thalassodendron*"). The review reveals a wide diversity of bacterial groups, including endophytic, epiphytic, and rhizosphere bacteria, with significant functions in nutrient cycling, disease resistance, and plant-microbe interactions. However, research gaps persist,particularly in understanding the functional roles of these microbial communities under varying environmental conditions. This study provide a comprehensive systhesis that highlights the importance of bacterial diversity associations in seagrass ecosystem. Crucially, this review presents a profound new perspective oe critical new insight into their ecological roles, solidifying the foundation for future microbe-based conservation and management strategies.