Communication and cohesion in aquatic science literature
In 1982, Frank Rigler challenged limnologists and fisheries biologists to address gaps in theory, experimental research, and management practices that have limited the advancement of both fields. We followed up on Rigler’s concerns using a literature study to determine the objectives and methodologies of studies across a range of subdisciplines within aquatic science. We surveyed both recent and historical literature from five leading journals that range in emphasis to include a broad array of subjects in aquatic science. Literature from 1982 was compared with recent publications to determine how communication and integration within aquatic science has changed. We found limited changes in the breadth of coverage provided by any journal. We further analyzed contemporary literature according to subject matter, methods of analysis, location of the research, and scale of study. We used correspondence analysis to identify the differences and associations across these fields and to uncover those particular research areas that have more clearly bridged some of these gaps previously identified. Our findings indicate that there are still clear divisions within modern aquatic science literature and that the journals considered typically show specific emphasis in the types of questions posed, methods of analysis, and the geographic representation of authors.