TY - JOUR
T1 - Integrated approaches to nature-based solutions in Africa
T2 - Insights from a bibliometric analysis
AU - Nyika, Joan
AU - Dinka, Megersa Olumana
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - The recognition of nature-based solutions (NbS) is on a growing trend worldwide in an era of climate change, and intensified demand for improved human health, better preparedness for disasters, food and water security. The solutions seek to restore, protect and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems to optimize biodiversity and human wellbeing benefits. In this study, a scientometric analysis of works indexed in Web of Science database until April 2022 was carried out to analyze 123 studies on NbS in Africa. The most active institutions, authors, and countries involved in publication on the topic and their evolution with time was assayed. African countries with exception of South Africa conducted limited research on the topic. About 38.2% of total searched outputs were affiliated to South African institutions. Most research output on the search query was in the environmental sciences and ecology subjects. A sluggish growth in research on the topic was established from the bibliographic coupling of authors and countries as well as keyword analysis. The study recommended for institution and policy overhaul, creation of NbS awareness and better financing of related projects to enhance the documentation and research on the topic in Africa by African researchers to supplement research already conducted by developed countries.
AB - The recognition of nature-based solutions (NbS) is on a growing trend worldwide in an era of climate change, and intensified demand for improved human health, better preparedness for disasters, food and water security. The solutions seek to restore, protect and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems to optimize biodiversity and human wellbeing benefits. In this study, a scientometric analysis of works indexed in Web of Science database until April 2022 was carried out to analyze 123 studies on NbS in Africa. The most active institutions, authors, and countries involved in publication on the topic and their evolution with time was assayed. African countries with exception of South Africa conducted limited research on the topic. About 38.2% of total searched outputs were affiliated to South African institutions. Most research output on the search query was in the environmental sciences and ecology subjects. A sluggish growth in research on the topic was established from the bibliographic coupling of authors and countries as well as keyword analysis. The study recommended for institution and policy overhaul, creation of NbS awareness and better financing of related projects to enhance the documentation and research on the topic in Africa by African researchers to supplement research already conducted by developed countries.
KW - Africa
KW - Bibliometric analysis
KW - Climate resilience
KW - Ecosystems
KW - Environment
KW - Nature-based solutions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85185688747&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nbsj.2022.100031
DO - 10.1016/j.nbsj.2022.100031
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85185688747
SN - 2772-4115
VL - 2
JO - Nature-Based Solutions
JF - Nature-Based Solutions
M1 - 100031
ER -