Global trends in social-ecological systems and disaster research: Bibliometric insights

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of social-ecological systems (SES) in the context of disasters is essential to bridge the interactions among humans, the environment and disaster risks. This perspective supports the development of disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies and the strengthening of community resilience while addressing practical and scientific gaps in the literature. The present study analysed global research trends on SES and disasters, focusing on publication patterns, thematic clusters and the geographical distribution of contributions. It employed a bibliometric analysis of 140 Scopus-indexed papers retrieved with relevant keywords. Network visualisation and data-density techniques were applied to identify research trends, thematic groupings and regional participation. The results highlight emerging themes and recurrent topics within SES and disaster studies, with substantial contributions from the United States, China, Germany and Australia and a steady annual increase in publications. Major thematic clusters included DRR, nature conservation, disaster management and climate adaptation. Areas gaining greater attention were climate adaptation, DRR and ecosystem management, signalling shifting priorities in SES and disaster research. This study underscores adaptation, resilience, governance and policy as central themes and emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and expanded databases for future investigations.
Contribution: The research provides a comprehensive overview of SES and disaster trends, offering insights to policymakers and practitioners to enhance DRR strategies and global resilience initiatives. It fills a critical gap in understanding the interplay between SES dynamics and disaster management.