A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Fine Roots Research in Forest Ecosystems during 1992–2020

Linjia Huang,Yang Cao,Ziqian Xia

doi:10.3390/f13010093

Abstract

(1) Background: Fine roots (≤2 mm in diameter) play a critical role in forest ecosystem ecological processes and has been widely identified as a major research topic. This study aimed to synthesize the global literature based on the Web of Science Core Collection scientific database from 1992 to 2020 and summarize the research trends and prospects on research of fine roots in forest ecosystems. A quantitative bibliometric analysis was presented with information related to authors, countries, institutions, journals, top cited publications, research hotspots, trends, and prospects. (2) Results: The results showed that the amount of publications has increased exponentially. USA, China, and Germany were the most productive countries. Chinese Academy of Science was the most productive institution on fine roots research and also has a key position in both domestic and international cooperation networks. Leuschner C and Hertel D were the most productive authors. Six core journals were confirmed from 471 journals based on Bradford’s law. The distribution of the frequency of authors and the number of their publications were fitted with Lotka’s Law. Author collaboration network was mainly limited in the same countries/territories and institutions. Keywords analysis indicates that the hotspots are biomass, decomposition, and respiration of fine roots, especially under climate change. (3) Conclusion: Our results provide a better understanding of global characteristics and trends of fine roots that have emerged in this field, which could offer reference for future research.

Highlights

Fine roots, traditionally defined as a diameter of less than 2 mm, are the most active part of belowground mass and play key roles in forest ecosystem processes [1,2]
Keywords analysis indicates that the hotspots are biomass, decomposition, and respiration of fine roots, especially under climate change
In order to provide a systemic and objective overview of the scientific research development of fine roots in forest ecosystems, this study identifies bibliometric characteristics and visualizes relationships between articles in this field published in the journals of Web of Science Core Collection to fill this research gap and facilitate a better understanding of trends and prospects of fine root research

Summary

Introduction

Traditionally defined as a diameter of less than 2 mm, are the most active part of belowground mass and play key roles in forest ecosystem processes [1,2]. Of litter inputs in forest ecosystems, and fine root decomposition contributes significantly to carbon and nutrient cycling by mineralizing and releasing nutrients for plant and microbial uptake [6,7,8,9]. The amount of carbon and nutrients returned to the soil through the fine roots is equal to or even higher than that of leaf litter owing to the rapid turnover rate [10,11]. In view of the prominent role of fine roots in biology, physiology, biogeochemical cycling, and plant-soil-microbe interactions in forest ecosystem structure and functions, there was extensive research on this exciting and intriguing topic and the body of research continues to grow rapidly

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Results

Conclusion