A Historical Overview and Bibliometric Study of Acoustic Ecology, Soundscape Ecology, and Ecoacoustics

The study of sound in the environment or soundscapes has evolved from artistic appreciation into a robust scientific discipline, leading to the establishment of three interconnected fields: namely acoustic ecology, soundscape ecology, and ecoacoustics. This study provides a historical review and comprehensive bibliometric analysis of these three fields, focusing on their evolution, thematic overlaps, and distinct methodologies. Using the Scopus database, we analyzed 928 of peer-reviewed publications ranging from the early, human-centric roots of acoustic ecology to the more modern, technology-driven ecoacoustic monitoring. Our bibliometric mapping highlights the growth in research over the last two decades, identifying key authors, influential institutions, and emerging clusters—specifically, the transition from various human-based acoustics and soundscape studies to biodiversity assessment using biophony. While acoustic ecology initially focused on human-perceived environments, this analysis demonstrates how soundscape ecology and ecoacoustics have broadened the scope to ecological processes across various scales. The findings reveal a convergent trajectory where these fields increasingly integrate to assess ecological health, land-use changes, and biodiversity. This review provides a timely, structured overview of this evolving landscape, offering a vital reference for researchers and practitioners in landscape ecology, environmental management, soundscape, and sustainable development.