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

Authors

  • Adarsh T Department of Geography, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam 683 574, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9803-8281
  • Haneena Sulthana K.P. Department of Psychology, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam 683 574, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7811-7838

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64866/j.ijdscr.2025.10003

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

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

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

    Department of Psychology, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam 683 574, 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

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 spin-off 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

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Adarsh T., & Haneena Sulthana K.P. (2025). Trends and insights in Nature-Based Solutions: A bibliometric study. International Journal of Disaster Studies and Climate Resilience, 1(1 Jan-Jun 2025), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.64866/j.ijdscr.2025.10003