In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted by identifying and analyzing relevant research from the core database of Web of Science in the past 20 years with the goal of identifying and characterizing critical knowledge gaps, gluts, and trends in application of biological predation in residual sludge reduction. Results showed that most relevant research was published in China, accounting for averagely 35% of the global total articles, with the highest proportion reaching 66% (in 2025). Furthermore, in the past two decades, three development stages with distinct themes and trends were identified, i.e. 2005~2011, 2011~2017 and 2017~2025; namely, (i) predator dynamics and their mechanisms in sludge reduction and pollutant degradation, (ii) enhancement of the reactors and strategies for sludge reduction that uses predation, and (iii) understanding the microbial community structure and function under the influence of predation. It is recommended that future research and practice should investigate the multi-scale effects of predation in sludge reduction systems and evaluate their stability, maintenance and regulation mechanisms. Additional research should evaluate microbial food web response and risk assessment under pollution stress. Moreover, spatiotemporal constraints, sustainability and carbon emission reduction accounting issues faced by engineering practices will be important challenges in this field.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |