Trends and insights in Nature-Based Solutions: A bibliometric study

Authors

Keywords:

Bibliometrics, Nature Based Solutions, Climate Resilience, Climate Adaptation, Climate Change, Ecosystem-based Adaptation, Research Trends

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate resilience from 2010 to 2024. NbS are sustainable approaches that utilize natural ecosystems to mitigate climate change, enhance resilience, and support adaptation strategies. Utilizing data from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, a total of 765 documents were analysed after removing duplicates. The dataset reveals a significant growth in research on Nature-based Solutions, with an annual growth rate of 46.61%. These documents were published across 385 sources, with an average document age of 3.26 years, reflecting the field’s recent expansion. The average rate of 21.99 citations per document highlights the academic
 impact of these studies. Collaborative research is prominent, with 3,214 authors contributing at a co-authorship rate of 4.87 authors per document, though single-authored works account for only 65 publications. International collaboration is moderate, with 18.56% of publications involving authors from multiple countries. The study explores key thematic areas, influential authors, leading institutions, and global collaboration networks. It also examines emerging research trends and the evolving focus on integrating Nature-based Solutions into climate resilience and climate adaptation strategies. This bibliometric review provides valuable insights that can guide future research, inform policy development, and support practitioners in scaling up the implementation of Nature-based Solutions for sustainable climate adaptation and resilience-building.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Adarsh T, Department of Geography, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam 683 574, India

    Adarsh T. M.Sc., M.Phil., PGDGIST, Department of Geography, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala, India

    Adarsh T is a Research Scholar in the Department of Geography at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala, India. He secured second rank in both M.Sc. and M.Phil. in Geography and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Geographic Information Science and Technology (PGDGIST).

  • Haneena Sulthana K P, Department of Psychology, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam 683 574, India

    Haneena Sulthana K P
    Junior Research Fellow, Department of Psychology, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala, India

References

Ahmad, P., Dummer, P., Chaudhry, A., Rashid, U., Saif, S., Asıf, J., 2019. A bibliometric study of the top 100 most‐cited randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses published in endodontic journals. International Endodontic Journal 52, 1297–1316. https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.13131

Aria, M., Cuccurullo, C., 2017. bibliometrix: An r-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics 11, 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.

Barausse, A., Meulenberg, C., Occhipinti, I., Abordi, M., Endrizzi, L., Guadagnin, G., Piron, M., Visintin, F., Vizintin, L., Manzardo, A., 2022. A methodological proposal for the climate change risk assessment of coastal habitats based on the evaluation of ecosystem services: Lessons learnt from the interreg project eco-smart. Sustainability 14, 7567. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137567.

Barron, S., Nitoslawski, S., Wolf, K., Woo, A., Desautels, E., Sheppard, S., 2019. Greening blocks: a conceptual typology of practical design interventions to integrate health and climate resilience co-benefits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, 4241. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214241.

Barron, S., Rugel, E., Cheng, Z., Nesbitt, L., Sheppard, S., Czekajlo, A., Girling, C., 2023. Achieving the urban tree trifecta: Scenario modelling for salubrious, resilient, and diverse urban forests in densifying cities. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2023.022.

Beceiro, P., Brito, R., Galvão, A., 2020. The contribution of nbs to urban resilience in stormwater management and control: a framework with stakeholder validation. Sustainability 12, 2537. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062537.

Bradford, S.C., 1934. Sources of information on specific subjects. Engineering: An Illustrated Weekly Journal 137, 85–86.

Fargione, J.E., Bassett, S., Boucher, T., Bridgham, S.D., Conant, R.T., Cook-Patton, S.C., Ellis, P.W., Falcucci, A., Fourqurean, J.W., Gopalakrishna, T., Gu, H., Henderson, B., Hurteau, M.D., Kroeger, K.D., Kroeger, T., Lark, T.J., Leavitt, S.M., Lomax, G., McDonald, R.I., Megonigal, J.P., Miteva, D.A., Richardson, C.J., Sanderman, J., Shoch, D., Spawn, S.A., Veldman, J.W., Williams, C.A., Woodbury, P.B., Zganjar, C., Baranski, M., Elias, P., Houghton, R.A., Landis, E., McGlynn, E., Schlesinger, W.H., Siikamäki, J.V., Sutton-Grier, A.E., Griscom, B.W., 2018. Natural climate solutions for the united states. Science Advances 4, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aat1869.

Girardin, C.A.J., Jenkins, S., Seddon, N., Allen, M., Lewis, S.L., Wheeler, C.E., Griscom, B.W., Malhi, Y., 2021. Nature-based solutions can help cool the planet — if we act now. Nature 593, 191–194. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01241-2.

Godin, B., 2006. On the origins of bibliometrics. Scientometrics 68, 109–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-006-0086-0.

Goh, K.C., Kurniawan, T.A., Goh, H.H., Zhang, D., Jiang, M., Dai, W., Khan, M.I., Othman, M.H.D., Aziz, F., Anouzla, A., Meidiana, C., 2024. Strengthening infrastructure resilience for climate change mitigation: Case studies from the southeast Asia region with a focus on wastewater treatment plants in addressing flooding challenges. ACS ES&T Water 4, 3725–3740. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00591.

Joseph, J.K., Akhildev, K., Renjith, V.R., Pradeepkumar, A.P., 2024. Eco-DRR practices and research: Visualization and analysis of global perspectives. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 102, 104271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104271.

Lima, B., Lacerda, R., Becker, M., 2023. Academic spinoff management: a bibliometric study. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation 18, 69–80. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242023000200069.

Lotka, A.J., 1926. The frequency distribution of scientific productivity. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 16, 317–323.

O’Sullivan, F., Mell, İ., Clément, S., 2020. Novel solutions or rebranded approaches: evaluating the use of nature-based solutions (NBS) in Europe. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2020.572527.

Runting, R., Beyer, H., Dujardin, Y., Lovelock, C., Bryan, B., Rhodes, J., 2018. Reducing risk in reserve selection using modern portfolio theory: coastal planning under sea‐level rise. Journal of Applied Ecology 55, 2193–2203. https://doi.org/10.1111/ 1365-2664.13190.

Xu, Y., Zhang, Z., He, J., Chen, Z., 2022. Immune effects of macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2021. Frontiers in Immunology 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.903771.

Öztürk, M., 2023. A bibliometric analysis of studies on “halal label”. Medya Ve Din Araştırmaları Dergisi 6, 205–220. https://doi.org/10.47951/mediad.1271976.

Downloads

Published

2025-04-15

Data Availability Statement

The data used in this study were obtained from Web of Science and SCOPUS. These databases are subscription-based, and access to the data is subject to the terms and conditions of the respective providers. Readers interested in accessing the data may contact Web of Science and SCOPUS directly through their official platforms.

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Disaster Studies and Climate Resilience

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.