In 2023, the share of corresponding/leading authors in scientific publications on pollution in Germany was positioned at a stable point, leading into projected declines over the next few years. The forecasted data from 2024 to 2028 shows a gradual decrease, with the percentage dropping from 86.6% in 2024 to 85.22% in 2028. This indicates a subtle year-on-year decline in the involvement of corresponding/leading authors, reflecting a potential diversification in authorship or changes in research collaboration dynamics.

Future trends to watch include:

Continued diversification in authorship that could reflect broader collaboration across international or interdisciplinary teams.
Potential impact of policy changes or shifts in research funding priorities on authorship structure within the field of pollution studies in Germany.
Technological advancements in research publication processes that may influence the role and share of leading authors.