Abstract
The concept of sustainable livelihoods (SL) is one of the most important subjects of sustainable development, and is an important long-term goal for poverty alleviation. There has been growing interest in the nature and practical application of SL in recent decades. This paper applies bibliometric analysis to collect and analyze data on sustainable livelihoods from the expanded Science Citation index (SCIE) and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Bibliometric maps can assist greatly in visualizing and summarizing large volumes of data and in studying scientific outputs. The findings offer insights into research trends pertaining to SL, such as these: (1) In recent decades there has been an increase in both the number of papers on SL and their scientific influence. (2) The most active journals are Sustainability, Ecology and Society, Land Use Policy, and International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology. (3) SL papers are distributed mainly in the fields of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Planning & Development, and Green & Sustainable Science & Technology. (4) The USA and UK are leaders in SL research as measured by both the quantity and quality of SL publications. Some developing countries, notably India and China, have seen an increase in SL publications in recent years. (5) Wageningen University in Netherlands, the Chinese Academy of Science, and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), headquartered in Indonesia, have had a major influence in the field of international SL research. (6) International cooperation has a positive effect on the growth of SL research, suggesting that there is a need for strengthening cooperation among countries, international institutions, and individuals. (7) Major areas of SL research (“hot topics”) are theoretical research on the SL concept; ecosystem conservation; poverty reduction in the poverty-stricken areas; the impact of climate change on livelihoods; and linkages between SL-related policies and institutional change.
Highlights
This article concerns itself with a concept that is especially relevant in developing countries: sustainable livelihoods (SL)
(6) International cooperation has a positive effect on the growth of SL research, suggesting that there is a need for strengthening cooperation among countries, international institutions, and individuals
In the more than two decades since it is noticeable that the more research papers and publications gave a boost to SL researches, in particular, by aiming at reduction of extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equity and empowerment of woman and so on
Summary
This article concerns itself with a concept that is especially relevant in developing countries: sustainable livelihoods (SL). Connolly-Boutin and Smit developed a conceptualization of relationships among four distinct but inherently interconnected concepts, i.e., impacts of climate change, vulnerability and adaption, food security, and sustainable livelihoods [28]. One of their purposes was to identify the relationships and regularity among food security vulnerabilities, together with related multiple stresses and adaptive capacities. To round out and extend previous reviews, this paper maps and evaluates the relevant SL literature for the purpose of identifying potential research gaps, broadening and strengthening its comprehensive knowledge base, exploring the forefront of trends in its development, and exhibiting the boundaries of existing academic work. This paper looks at: firstly, where the SL concept came from and how the perspective it engenders has evolved; secondly, the publication output and impacts of researchers who devote themselves to SL studies; thirdly, specific research subjects/themes; and cooperation networks tying together different countries, different institutions, and different scholars
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