Advancing ecosystem services and sustainability research in the Global South: a bibliometric review

Abstract

Despite a growing body of literature, there remains a limited understanding of collaboration networks and institutional contributions within the Global South, with previous studies often overlooking the specific dynamics of scientific output and partnerships in low-and middle-income countries. Ecosystem research in these regions is vital for identifying and addressing the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and resource exploitation on fragile environments. Consequently, there is a critical need for a comprehensive mapping of ecosystem research conducted over the past decade to identify emerging trends, knowledge gaps, and future opportunities. Existing studies largely focus on quantifying research output, often overlooking the qualitative dimensions of collaboration, knowledge co-production, and knowledge transfer. This lack of depth impedes the development of targeted strategies to enhance research capacity and foster innovation in the Global South. This study undertakes a bibliometric analysis of 5551 records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Dimensions databases, focusing on 3584 relevant English-language articles published between 2014 and 2024, in order to explore emerging trends, knowledge gaps, and patterns of scholarly collaboration. Utilizing Excel 2025 and VOSviewer, the research identified publication trends, collaboration networks, and thematic clusters. Key findings reveal a consistent increase in research output from the Global South (excluding China) from 2014 to 2024, yet average citations per article remain relatively low, indicating a burgeoning research landscape with a need for increased citation impact. Regional analyses show fluctuating citation trends in Sub-Saharan Africa, dynamic trends in Non-Sub-Saharan Africa, and distinct peaks of high-impact research in SIDS interspersed with lower activity. The analysis also uncovers complex author and organizational collaboration networks, with institutions like Universidade de São Paulo and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México being significant contributors in the broader Global South, and Addis Ababa University serving as a central hub in Sub-Saharan Africa. Conversely, Non-Sub-Saharan Africa and SIDS exhibit more limited collaborative dynamics, suggesting resource and institutional capacity constraints. Dominant research themes across the Global South align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on economic development, environmental sustainability, and methodological innovation. Specifically, Sub-Saharan Africa emphasizes ‘ecosystem services’ and ‘economic valuation’, Non-Sub-Saharan Africa focuses on water-related issues and climate impacts, and SIDS on carbon dynamics, ecosystem health, and ‘soil ecosystems’. This study provides evidence-based observations and indications that can inform strategies to strengthen scientific capacity and collaboration, including targeted funding, training in scientific publishing, increased publication visibility, and improved research infrastructure, particularly in regions with lower citation impact. Such findings are essential for enhancing resource allocation and informing policy development, while also fostering interdisciplinary approaches to effectively address the complex challenges faced by the Global South.

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