Global Hotspots and Trends of Ecological Network Research (1991–2024): Insights from Bibliometric Analysis

Jingxian Wang, Hui Tang, Wei Guo, Wendong Yu and Yunjian Luo ()
Additional contact information
Jingxian Wang: College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Hui Tang: College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Wei Guo: Institute of Urban and Rural Planning, China Academy of Building Research, Beijing 100013, China
Wendong Yu: College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Yunjian Luo: College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Ecological networks (ENs) offer a proactive, spatially explicit strategy for safeguarding the integrity, functionality, and sustainability of ecological spaces. With land and financial resources increasingly constrained, conventional approaches to expanding ecological spaces are often infeasible. ENs have emerged as a robust solution to address challenges effectively. This study combined bibliometric analysis with a traditional literature review to examine keyword co-occurrence in EN-related publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (1991–2024). The results showed a significant increase in publication volume and identified three main research themes: (i) theoretical foundations of ENs, focusing on conceptual frameworks and principles; (ii) construction methodologies of ENs, emphasizing the design and optimization through tools such as graph theory, circuit theory, the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model, and the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation model; and (iii) EN and ecosystem services, highlighting contributions to green infrastructure and forest management. The evolution of research frontiers unfolds across three distinct stages: establishing theoretical foundations (1991–2009), advancing methodologies (2010–2021), and integrating interdisciplinary approaches (2022–2024). Four future priorities guiding EN studies include advancing ecosystem service quantification and integration, enhancing climate change adaptation and resilience, strengthening socioeconomic integration for sustainable development, and leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation.

Keywords: ecological security; ecological network; research frontier; science mapping; bibliometric analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4716/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4716/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4716-:d:1660419

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().