Global research trends linking vegetation dynamics, forest cover change, and floods: A bibliometric analysis of Scopus literature (2014–2023)

Abstract

Floods are among the most destructive natural hazards worldwide, and their increasing frequency and severity are closely linked to climate change, land-use transformation, and vegetation degradation. Although extensive research has examined flooding, vegetation dynamics, and forest cover changes individually, a comprehensive understanding of how these themes have evolved collectively remains limited. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of global research on vegetation dynamics, forest cover change, and floods using 499 Scopus-indexed publications published between 2014 and 2023. Bibliographic data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer to evaluate publication trends, leading journals, authors, institutions, countries, collaboration networks, citation patterns, and thematic evolution. The results demonstrate a sustained increase in scientific output over the past decade, with research activity peaking in 2021, reflecting growing international attention to ecosystem-based flood management under changing climatic conditions. The United States and China emerged as the leading contributors to scientific production, while Remote Sensing, Science of the Total Environment, and Ecohydrology were the most productive publication outlets. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic analyses revealed five dominant research themes: flood risk assessment and hydrological modelling, vegetation and forest ecosystem dynamics, remote sensing and geospatial technologies, climate change and environmental sustainability, and ecosystem-based flood management. Recent research has shifted from conventional hydrological assessments towards integrated approaches that combine satellite Earth observation, geographic information systems, machine learning, and nature-based solutions to improve flood prediction and watershed resilience. The findings also highlight persistent geographical disparities in research capacity, with developing countries remaining underrepresented despite facing disproportionate flood risks. In addition to identifying the trends for research priority and remaining gaps, this study provides a global knowledge overview of vegetation, floods, and changes in forest cover. The evidence is in favor of giving ecological restoration, sustainable land use management, and state-of-the-art geospatial technology more weight for assessing flood risk and adapting to climate change. More funding and international collaborations are needed for flood research, particularly in nations that experience frequent floods yet are underrepresented in the world's scientific literature. These results give academics, legislators, and land and environmental managers a solid foundation on which to seek well-informed strategies to lower the danger of flooding in a sustainable manner and strengthen natural systems.