Wind disturbance in forests: A bibliometric analysis and systematic review

Forests are susceptible to sudden disturbances, particularly those induced by wind, leading potentially to important ecological changes and economic losses. The extensive multidisciplinary literature on this topic poses challenges for traditional literature reviews. Employing quantitative bibliometric analysis, our study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of forest wind disturbance research. A systematic data collection process from the Web of Science Core Collection identified 839 relevant publications. Results reveal a consistent growth in publications, with a notable spike corresponding to Hurricane Hugo. Most contributions originate from the United States, showcasing leadership in collaboration both nationally and institutionally. Co-citation analysis identifies three overarching research themes: factors influencing wind disturbance, the impacts of wind disturbance, and an integrated exploration of factors and impacts. Thematic map analysis unveils that key topics include windthrow, tree motion during windstorms, European forests, wind damage risk estimation, hurricane impacts on forests, and long-term impacts of wind disturbances. Thematic evolution underscores the dynamic nature of the research themes, with hurricanes and mortality emerging as foundational, while forest structure, tree stability, and Picea abies exhibit evolving complexities. The study also identifies prospective research directions, emphasizing hurricanes, forest structure, climate change, and typhoon-related impacts. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the dynamic forest wind disturbance landscape, providing a foundation for future research and enabling better-informed and more effective management decisions.