Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace

Plant diversity, as a critical indicator of wetland ecosystem health and functionality, has garnered extensive research attention. However, systematic and quantitative assessments of research advancements in wetland plant diversity remain inadequate. This study pioneers a global bibliometric analysi...

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Main Authors: Xuanrui Zhang, Shikun Chen, Pengfu Yao, Jiahui Han, Ri Jin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/781
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author Xuanrui Zhang
Shikun Chen
Pengfu Yao
Jiahui Han
Ri Jin
author_facet Xuanrui Zhang
Shikun Chen
Pengfu Yao
Jiahui Han
Ri Jin
author_sort Xuanrui Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Plant diversity, as a critical indicator of wetland ecosystem health and functionality, has garnered extensive research attention. However, systematic and quantitative assessments of research advancements in wetland plant diversity remain inadequate. This study pioneers a global bibliometric analysis of wetland plant diversity research (1986–2025), designed to systematically examine its worldwide patterns, knowledge architecture, and evolutionary trends. Bibliometric analysis was performed using CiteSpace V6.2.R4 (64-bit) software on 482 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Results indicate that the United States, Canada, China, and several European countries have collectively prioritized wetland plant diversity research, forming a close international collaboration network. Research themes initially centered on species composition, community structure, and diversity metrics have expanded to multiple dimensions such as ecosystem functions and services, environmental change impacts, and wetland management and restoration, forming several key research clusters. Keyword time-zone mapping reveals the trajectory of research themes from basic descriptions to applied and environmental relevance, while emergent analyses accurately identify hotspots and frontiers of current research such as ecosystem services, functional diversity, and climate change impacts. These findings contribute to comprehending the overall framework and developmental trajectories in wetland plant diversity research, and provide a reference for identifying potential research gaps and planning future research directions.
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language English
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spelling doaj-art-b91f76d2bbe9432886764d74c55856ba2025-08-20T03:13:41ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114778110.3390/biology14070781Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpaceXuanrui Zhang0Shikun Chen1Pengfu Yao2Jiahui Han3Ri Jin4College of Geography and Ocean Sciences, Yanbian University, Hunchun 133300, ChinaCollege of Geography and Ocean Sciences, Yanbian University, Hunchun 133300, ChinaDepartment of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, SwedenSongpan Ecological Environment Bureau, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, Songpan 623300, ChinaCollege of Geography and Ocean Sciences, Yanbian University, Hunchun 133300, ChinaPlant diversity, as a critical indicator of wetland ecosystem health and functionality, has garnered extensive research attention. However, systematic and quantitative assessments of research advancements in wetland plant diversity remain inadequate. This study pioneers a global bibliometric analysis of wetland plant diversity research (1986–2025), designed to systematically examine its worldwide patterns, knowledge architecture, and evolutionary trends. Bibliometric analysis was performed using CiteSpace V6.2.R4 (64-bit) software on 482 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Results indicate that the United States, Canada, China, and several European countries have collectively prioritized wetland plant diversity research, forming a close international collaboration network. Research themes initially centered on species composition, community structure, and diversity metrics have expanded to multiple dimensions such as ecosystem functions and services, environmental change impacts, and wetland management and restoration, forming several key research clusters. Keyword time-zone mapping reveals the trajectory of research themes from basic descriptions to applied and environmental relevance, while emergent analyses accurately identify hotspots and frontiers of current research such as ecosystem services, functional diversity, and climate change impacts. These findings contribute to comprehending the overall framework and developmental trajectories in wetland plant diversity research, and provide a reference for identifying potential research gaps and planning future research directions.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/781wetland plant diversityhabitat conservationbiodiversityCiteSpacevegetation
spellingShingle Xuanrui Zhang
Shikun Chen
Pengfu Yao
Jiahui Han
Ri Jin
Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace
Biology
wetland plant diversity
habitat conservation
biodiversity
CiteSpace
vegetation
title Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace
title_full Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace
title_fullStr Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace
title_short Knowledge Structure and Evolution of Wetland Plant Diversity Research: Visual Exploration Based on CiteSpace
title_sort knowledge structure and evolution of wetland plant diversity research visual exploration based on citespace
topic wetland plant diversity
habitat conservation
biodiversity
CiteSpace
vegetation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/781
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AT shikunchen knowledgestructureandevolutionofwetlandplantdiversityresearchvisualexplorationbasedoncitespace
AT pengfuyao knowledgestructureandevolutionofwetlandplantdiversityresearchvisualexplorationbasedoncitespace
AT jiahuihan knowledgestructureandevolutionofwetlandplantdiversityresearchvisualexplorationbasedoncitespace
AT rijin knowledgestructureandevolutionofwetlandplantdiversityresearchvisualexplorationbasedoncitespace