Emerging Research Trends in River Health Assessment: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

This article used bibliometric analysis and uncovered salient features of literature published in the twenty-first century focusing on river health assessment (RHA). We analysed 509 articles related to RHA obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) database from 2002 to 2024. The Bibliometrix package was used in RStudio software for the analysis of several publication characteristics viz. productivity, countries, country collaboration, journals, trending topics, and keyword co-occurrences. Results indicated a steep growth in total publications over the past 23 years. The Republic of China took the top rank out of 25 countries, followed by the USA and India. The largest collaborative research was done by scientists from China, the USA and Iran. The analysis highlighted a concentration of research outputs on river health in various journals, reflecting significant recognition of this area within the scientific community. The results revealed that the majority of RHA investigations have used physico-chemical parameters, but recent years have seen an increased emphasis on using biological factors to assess river health. However, geo-morphological, hydrological, and habitat-based parameters remain underutilized in RHAs. To achieve a comprehensive RHA, it is essential to include these parameters alongside indicators based on ecosystem services and people’s perception. This analysis would assist scientists, policymakers, and river managers by providing a holistic approach and facilitating the development of adequate policies and multifaceted management strategies for riverine ecosystems.

Graphical abstract