A bibliometric analysis of agroecological practices: trends, impacts, and future directions

Agroecological practices play a vital role in sustainable agriculture. They enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs, all while bolstering resilience to climate change. By promoting diverse cropping systems and engaging local communities, agroecology ensures economic viability while adapting to specific ecological contexts. This comprehensive bibliometric study, spanning from 1981 to 2024, delves into the scientific landscape of agroecological practices within the context of sustainable agriculture. It scrutinizes influential works, emerging trends, and key themes across 376 publications. Employing bibliometric techniques like co-word map analysis and network visualization, the study uncovers clusters of research topics - ranging from adoption and application to sustainable agriculture and review. Notably, it reveals the interconnectedness of concepts related to agroecology, shedding light on essential areas of interest. Furthermore, the study traces the evolution of research interests over time and identifies promising avenues for future exploration. Policymakers can leverage this insightful map to inform strategic decisions and foster collaborative efforts in agroecological research.