Soil erosion in geomorphological studies: Recent trends and future directions

Abstract

The study of geomorphology and soil erosion has garnered increasing attention globally due to mounting environmental concerns and the recognition of soil erosion as a critical issue with profound implications for ecosystem health and human well-being. This review paper examines recent trends and future directions in geomorphology and soil erosion research through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The focus is specifically on the geomorphological dimensions of soil erosion, excluding purely agricultural or engineering approaches unless integrated within geomorphological frameworks. By using data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, our methodological protocol encompasses four key stages: defining search criteria using keywords “geomorphology” and “soil erosion,” selecting and extracting relevant documents, preprocessing data, and analyzing results. The collected records provided a rich dataset comprising bibliographic information, abstracts, keywords, and other pertinent variables conducive to bibliometric analysis. The dataset reveals the United States, China, and the United Kingdom as top contributors, with Geomorphology and Science of the Total Environment as key journals. Citation patterns highlight pedo-geomorphology and land management, while keyword networks expose thematic clusters and emerging trends like UAV-based or Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry assessments. This review paper offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, facilitating informed decision-making and guiding efforts toward sustainable land management practices worldwide.