Wetlands are ecosystems susceptible to anthropogenic impacts; analysis of the scientific publications on these ecosystems can be used as a reference to inform research and conservation measures. This bibliometric analysis aimed to evaluate the temporal evolution of scientific publications and trends in research topics related to the wetlands of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile; this region includes an extended desertic region in the southern Pacific. A total of 405 articles published during the period from 2000 to 2019 were reviewed. The most frequent subject areas were 'birds' and 'other types of fauna' (20.7% and 19.8%, respectively); the diversity of publications was similar, but the proportions of the total subject areas for each country varied. The number of papers published per year was found to be increasing. The thematic areas related to these ecosystems that require strengthening in Ecuador, Peru and Chile are identified (e. g. 'remote sensing' in Peru, 'microscopic organisms' in Chile and Ecuador). Decision-makers should use this information to continue developing helpful conservation lines (for example, those related to ecosystem services) and promote less developed lines of research identified for each country.