UVOD
Forest fires are considered to be one of the most destructive risks on the planet, ravaging millions of hectares worldwide each year (Bowman et al., 2009). These fires not only devastate vast areas of vegetation, leading to the loss of forests and biodiversity, but they also have severe consequences on human and animal populations (Cochrane, 2003) The smoke and emissions from forest fires contribute to air pollution, posing serious health risks to people living in affected areas (Johnston et al., 2012).
Furthermore, forest fires significantly impact global change. They release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change (Richer et al., 2006).
Effective mapping and strategic management of forest fires are essential for controlling and preventing this risk. The use of advanced technologies, such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), plays a crucial role in identifying high-risk zones and predicting forest fires (Soualah et al., 2024). Remote sensing allows for the continuous monitoring of large forested areas, enabling the detection of fire outbreaks in real time (Chuvieco et al., 2008). GIS helps in analyzing spatial data to identify patterns and areas that are susceptible to fires, aiding in the development of targeted prevention and mitigation strategies (Jaiswal et al., 2002). By integrating these technologies, authorities can enhance their response capabilities and reduce the overall impact of forest fires (Petropoulos et al., 2009).
Over the past decade, there has been a notable surge in research and publications related to forest fire mapping and management. This increase reflects the growing recognition of the importance of this field and the need for comprehensive strategies to address the challenges posed by forest fires. Given the expanding body of literature, a bibliometric analysis is essential to understand the research landscape, identify key trends, and highlight influential contributors and institutions (Juárez-Orozco et al., 2017). Such analyses can reveal the most frequently cited works, emerging areas of interest, and collaborative networks within the scientific community (Liu & Wimberly, 2015). By examining the bibliometric data, researchers and policymakers can better prioritize resources and efforts to enhance forest fire management practices (Pourghasemi et al., 2020).
The objectives of this bibliometric analysis are to explore the trends in research publications on forest fire mapping and management, identify the most prolific authors and institutions, and examine the collaborative networks and key journals in this field, by providing a comprehensive overview of the research activities and developments.
Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goals 11, 13, and 15:
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Enhancing the resilience of communities to forest fires is critical for ensuring safe and sustainable human settlements.
Goal 13: Climate Action
Effective prevention and management of forest fires are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Goal 15: Life on Land
Proper management and prevention of forest fires are crucial for protecting terrestrial ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and combating land degradation.
This is why we provided responses to these questions:
What is the distribution of publications on the mapping and management of forest fires over the last 10 years?
Which countries publish the most research on forest fires?
What are the most relevant journals and authors in the field of mapping and management of forest fires?
What are the key educational institutions involved in research on the mapping and management of forest fires?
MATERIJAL I METODE
Research design - Dizajn istraživanja
This bibliometric analysis, based on the PRISMA framework (Moher et al., 2009), aims to investigate the mapping and management of forest fires. The review identifies the top countries, leading educational institutions, most relevant journals, and the most prolific authors in this research area. Additionally, it highlights key trends and keywords that have emerged in the field over the past decade.
We also utilized VOSviewer for enhanced data visualization and analysis. VOSviewer is a software tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks. It is widely used in the field of bibliometrics to analyze scientific literature and visualize complex data. VOSviewer allows users to easily load bibliometric data, create visualizations, and customize maps.
The software can generate various types of bibliometric maps, including co-authorship maps, citation maps, and keyword co-occurrence maps. It also handles large datasets efficiently, making it suitable for analyzing extensive bibliometric data from sources like Scopus or Web of Science.
Researchers use VOSviewer to identify research trends, key authors, influential journals, and collaboration patterns within a specific field (van Eck & Waltman, 2014).
Identification – Identifikacija
Data base selection
This review took place on 1 June 2024. Scopus was selected as the main data base for this review due to its advanced analytical capabilities, extensive multidisciplinary coverage, and robust citation tracking features. This comprehensive database includes a wide range of articles, conference papers, and books, making it an invaluable resource for researchers. Its high-quality sources and detailed bibliometric tools facilitate thorough analysis, supporting a wide array of research fields (Baas et al., 2020).
Search strings
To ensure the retrieval of relevant studies, the researchers used specific keywords such as "mapping and management of forest fires," formulated as TITLE-ABS-KEY (mapping AND management AND forest AND fires). The search was limited to publications from the last ten years, specifically from 2013 to 2023 (PUBYEAR > 2012 AND PUBYEAR < 2024). Additionally, the subject area was restricted to environmental science (LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "ENVI")). The document types were confined to articles and conference papers (LIMIT-TO (DOCTYPE, "ar") OR LIMIT-TO (DOCTYPE, "cp")). Finally, only publications in the English language were included (LIMIT-TO (LANGUAGE, "English")).
Table 1. Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Tablica 1. Kriteriji uključivanja i isključivanja
Screening and selections - Probiranje i odabir
The main keywords used were "mapping and management of forest fires," resulting in an initial search of 927 documents. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined in Table 1, the final selection comprised 240 documents, with 687 publications excluded.
Inclusion and reporting - Uključivanje i izvještavanje
The findings of this bibliometric analysis have been reported based on the PRISMA framework (Moher et al., 2010), as illustrated in Figure 1. The following sections addresses the research questions in detail.
Figure 1. Prisma framework for this review
Slika 1. Prisma okvir za ovaj pregled
REZULTATI
In this section, we addressed the research questions based on the analysis of data retrieved from the Scopus database. A comprehensive search using the specified keywords and criteria resulted in a refined dataset of 240 relevant documents. The findings are organized as follows:
The distribution of mapping and management of forest fires publications - Distribucija publikacija o kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima
In this section, we explored the temporal distribution of publications related to the mapping and management of forest fires over the past decade (2013-2023).
This section will answer the following question:
-What is the distribution of mapping and management forest fires’ publications for the last 10 years?
Figure 2. Distribution by years
Slika 2. Distribucija po godinama
Figure 2 illustrates the distribution of publications on the mapping and management of forest fires from 2013 to 2023. In 2013, there were only 8 publications. This number nearly doubled in 2014, with 15 publications. The trend continued to rise over the years, reaching a peak in 2022 with 37 publications. In 2023, there were 34 publications, showing a slight decline but still maintaining high research activity in the field.
Top 10 countries that publish the most about forest fires and their most significant academic institutions - Prvih deset zemalja koje najviše objavljuju o šumskim požarima i njihove najznačajnije akademske institucije
The analysis is based on the number of publications attributed to researchers from each country in the last ten years. This section will answer the following questions:
Which countries publish the most about forest fires?
Which are the most significant academic institutions in these countries?
Over the past ten years, the United States has published 76 articles on forest fire mapping and management. This substantial volume of research is driven by the frequent and severe wildfires, particularly in states like California. Other countries have also made significant contributions to this field, though to a lesser extent. Italy has published 22 articles, followed by Indonesia with 18, Australia with 17, China with 16, and both India and Iran with 14 publications each. Canada and Spain have each contributed 13 articles, while the United Kingdom has published 11 articles.
Figure3: Top 10 countries that published the most about mapping and management of forest fires
Slika 3: Prvih 10 zemalja s najviše objavljenih radova o kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima
This section also identifies the top 10 countries with the highest number of publications in the field of mapping and management of forest fires and highlights the most productive countries and their leading academic institutions contributing to this research area. By examining these institutions, we can gain insight into the regions driving advancements in forest fire research.
Figure 4: Top 10 countries in publishing about mapping and management of forest fires
Slika 4: Prvih 10 zemalja s najviše objavljenih radova o kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima
The map illustrates the top 10 countries in terms of publications on the mapping and management of forest fires. The color intensity represents the number of publications, with darker shades indicating a higher number of publications.
Table 2. Top 10 countries in mapping and management of forest fires and their most significant academic institutions
Tablica 2. Prvih 10 zemalja s najviše objavljenih radova o kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima i njihove najznačajnije akademske institucij
Table 2 lists the top 10 institutions publishing on the mapping and management of forest fires. Leading the list is Moulay Ismail University, affiliated with the United States, with 76 publications, indicating significant research activity in this region. The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, affiliated with Italy, follows with 22 publications, showcasing a strong interest in forest fire research in Italy. Interestingly, the same institution, when affiliated with the United Kingdom, has 11 publications. The different publication outputs among these institutions reflect varying levels of interest and investment in forest fire research across different regions.
Most relevant journals - Najrelevantniji časopisi
This section identifies the most influential journals that publish research on forest fire mapping and management, highlighting their impact in the field. It also recognizes the leading authors who have significantly contributed to this area of study. By pinpointing these key sources and contributors, we can better understand the central hubs of knowledge and innovation in forest fire research.
The research question is:
What are the most relevant journals in mapping and management of forest fires research?
Table3: Top 10 journals covering forest fires in Scopus database in 2023
Tablica 3: Prvih deset časopisa o šumskim požarima u Scopus bazi podataka 2023.
Note: TC =Total citation TP = Total publication Napomena: UC = Ukupno citiranje UP = Ukupno publikacija
As shown in Table 2, the most productive journals in the field of mapping and management of forest fires include "Science of the Total Environment," which boasts a CiteScore of 17.6, and the "Journal of Environmental Management," with a CiteScore of 13.7. In terms of total publications, "IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science" leads with 66,209 publications, followed by "Sustainability (Switzerland)" with 55,991 publications in this research area. Conversely, the journal "Fire Ecology" has the fewest number of publications, with only 160 articles.
In terms of total citations, "Science of the Total Environment" and "Sustainability (Switzerland)" have garnered 540,202 and 381,353 citations, respectively. In contrast, "Fire Ecology" has the fewest total citations. This discrepancy can be attributed to the interdisciplinary nature of the higher-cited journals, which cover a broader range of environmental topics. These journals attract a larger and more diverse group of researchers. On the other hand, "Fire Ecology" focuses specifically on the ecological aspects of fire, which limits its audience to a narrower research community.
Educational institutions - Obrazovne institucije
This section addresses the research question by identifying and analyzing the educational institutions that are leading in the field of mapping and managing forest fires. By highlighting the contributions of these institutions, we can better understand the sources of significant research and innovation in this critical area.
Research question: What are the leading educational institutions in the mapping and management of forest fires?
Table4: Top 10 educational institutions in mapping and management of forest fires
Tablica 4: Prvih 10 obrazovnih institucija u kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima
Table 4 highlights the most prolific educational institutions in the field of mapping and management of forest fires, with the United States emerging as a leader in this research area with 60 publications. This is evidenced by four prominent institutions: USDA Forest Service, USDA ARS Rocky Mountain Research Station, United States Geological Survey, and Oregon State University, which have published 31, 15, 8, and 6 articles, respectively.
Following the United States, Australia is notable for its contributions, with 18 publications. Three institutions, the Australian National University, University of Melbourne, and the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, each contributed 6 publications.
In Canada, Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Forest Service have published 7 and 6 articles, respectively.
Lastly, representing Iran, Shiraz University has published 6 articles.
This distribution underscores the global nature of forest fire research and highlights the significant contributions from institutions in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Iran.
Most prolific authors and their affiliations - Najproduktivniji autori i njihove afilijacije
In this section, we address the research question by identifying the most prolific authors who have made significant contributions to the field of mapping and management of forest fires. This analysis includes their publication counts and affiliations, highlighting the key individuals driving research and innovation in this area.
Research question: Who are the most prolific authors in the field of mapping and management of forest fires?
Table5: Top 10 authors in mapping and management of forest fires
Tablica 5: Prvih 10 autora u kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima
Table 5 highlights the top 10 prolific authors in the research area of mapping and management of forest fires. The most prolific author is Hamid Reza Pourghasemi from Shiraz University in Iran, who has authored 290 publications, with a total citation count of 21,769 and an H-index of 83. Following him is Andrew T. Hudak, affiliated with the USDA ARS Moscow Forestry Sciences Lab in the United States, who has 10,225 citations, 210 publications, and an H-index of 54.
From Italy, Marco Marchetti, affiliated with Università degli Studi del Molise, began publishing in 1995 and has since accumulated 7,378 citations across 217 publications, with an H-index of 44. Other notable authors from the United States include Alan A. Ager (H-index 47), Michelle A. Day (H-index 23), Gregory K. Dillon (H-index 7), Lisa M. Holsinger (H-index 24), and Robert E. Keane (H-index 27).
Additionally, Saeedeh Eskandari from Iran has a total of 525 citations and an H-index of 14, while Anna Barbati from Italy has 4,674 citations and an H-index of 28. These authors contribute significantly to the research on forest fire mapping and management, highlighting the global interest and collaborative efforts in this critical field.
Figure5: Analysis of the results of prolific countries in mapping and management of forest fires
Slika 5: Rezultati analize produktivnih zemalja u kartiranju i upravljanju šumskim požarima
Figure 5 presents the analytical results of the most productive countries in the field of mapping and management of forest fires. The analysis indicates that the United States leads in this research area, followed by Italy, Indonesia, Australia, China, India, Iran, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom. These countries are identified as the top ten contributors to this field.
Subject area – Predmetno područje
This section will explore the primary subject areas that the research on mapping and management of forest fires encompasses. By categorizing the research into various subject areas, we can better understand the multidisciplinary nature of forest fire studies and the diverse approaches used to address this complex issue. This analysis will also help in identifying gaps in the current research and potential areas for future investigation.
Research question: What are the main subject areas covered in the research on mapping and management of forest fires?
Figure6: Subject area
Slika 6: Predmetno područje
Figure 6 illustrates the distribution of research publications in the field of forest fire mapping and management across various scientific disciplines, with Environmental Science leading the contributions. Agricultural and Biological Sciences, along with Earth and Planetary Sciences, also play significant roles. Social Sciences, Energy, Engineering, and Computer Science contribute to a lesser extent but are still vital in providing comprehensive understanding and management strategies for forest fires. This distribution highlights the complexity of forest fire issues, requiring insights and collaboration across various scientific disciplines.
The primary research keywords in the subject area
Primarne ključne riječi u predmetnom području
Figure 7 presents the analysis results of publications based on keyword co-occurrence. For this bibliometric analysis, "Co-occurrence" was selected as the analysis type, with "Author Keywords" marked as the unit of analysis. The visualization reveals a rich, interconnected research landscape in the field of forest fire mapping and management. Central themes include fire management, the integration of advanced technologies, the impact of climate change, and the ecological consequences of forest fires. These themes highlight the multi-dimensional nature of this research area. Additionally, the prominence of international collaborations and the diverse geographical focus underscore the global importance and collaborative efforts needed to advance knowledge and develop effective strategies for managing forest fires.
Figure7: Analysis results of publications by keywords
Slika 7: Rezultati analize publikacija prema ključnim riječima
RASPRAVA
Within the rapidly evolving field of forest fire mapping and management, having precise and up-to-date maps created using advanced technology is crucial. These maps are essential for understanding the current situation, predicting the behavior of forest fires, and identifying high-risk areas. This information is invaluable for implementing effective strategies and management practices to control and prevent forest fires.
The findings of this review highlight the productivity of authors and institutions from various nations and organizations within this research field.
Patterns in publication and geographic distribution - Obrasci u objavljivanju i geografskoj distribuciji
This significant rise in publications on the mapping and management of forest fires from 2013 to 2023 can be attributed to several factors (Figure.2). One key reason is the heightened awareness of the destructive impact of forest fires on ecosystems, the environment, and human communities, particularly from 2017 onward. Global changes have played a major role, with 2017 witnessing some of the largest and most destructive forest fires, according to FAO statistics. Similarly, 2021 saw unprecedented wildfire activity, prompting increased research into this critical issue. Furthermore, advancements in remote sensing technology and the widespread availability of satellite imagery have facilitated more extensive research and publication in this field.
The interest in publishing articles in this field is distributed across various countries worldwide, with particularly high contributions from the United States, Italy, and Indonesia, as demonstrated by this bibliometric analysis (Figure 3.).
Leading journals and academic institutions - Vodeći časopisi i akademske institucije
In this research, we highlighted the leading journals and academic institutions that are at the forefront of publishing in the field of mapping and management of forest fires (Table 2). By identifying these key contributors, our study provides valuable insight into the most influential sources of knowledge and innovation within this domain. The contrasting publication outputs suggest that research on forest fire mapping and management is more prominent in regions directly affected by forest fires. Institutions in countries like the U.S. and Italy are more likely to prioritize this field due to the immediate need for solutions to mitigate fire risks, while institutions in regions with lower fire risk may invest less in such research. This information is particularly useful for academics and authors who aspire to participate in and contribute to cutting-edge research in this field. The citation discrepancy highlights an important principle in academic publishing: journals that cater to broad, interdisciplinary topics often garner more citations because they engage a wider, more diverse audience. Journals with a narrower focus, such as "Fire Ecology," while crucial for specialists, naturally receive fewer citations as their readership and contributing researchers come from a more limited field. Understanding which journals have the highest impact and which institutions are most prolific can help researchers target their submissions and collaborations more effectively, ultimately advancing the collective understanding and management of forest fires (Table 3).
Regarding educational institutions, a clear concentration of research in countries that experience severe forest fire challenges was observed, with the U.S., Australia, and Canada leading the way. Governmental institutions and universities play crucial roles in these regions, reflecting the pressing need for knowledge and solutions to manage and mitigate wildfire impacts. Iran’s contributions reflect an emerging research focus, suggesting that the global relevance of forest fire management is gaining traction even outside of traditional wildfire-prone areas (Table 4).
Productive authors and keywords - Produktivni autori i ključne riječi
The presence of authors from multiple countries indicates that managing forest fires is a global priority, with cross-disciplinary and cross-border collaboration. These researchers are likely to address both the scientific and management aspects of forest fires, including the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and ecological analysis (Table 5).
The keywords provided in this research can help authors easily identify relevant subjects and offer valuable insights into the field of mapping and management of forest fires (Figure 7). Including keywords such as "climate change" and "disaster management" is particularly relevant to this area and can significantly influence researchers. These keywords help authors focus their studies on pertinent topics, ensuring their work aligns with current trends and critical issues in forest fire research.
Research area and its impact - Područje istraživanja i njegov utjecaj
This research encompasses a wide range of subject areas, underscoring the multidisciplinary nature of forest fire studies. Key disciplines include environmental science, which addresses the ecological and atmospheric effects of fires, agricultural and biological sciences, which focus on the impact of fires on flora, fauna, and agricultural practices, and earth and planetary sciences, which examine the geological and climatic factors influencing fire behavior (Figure 6). By integrating these diverse fields, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of forest fires, from their immediate environmental effects to their broader ecological and geological implications.
In summary, the discussions highlight the dynamic and multidisciplinary nature of forest fire research, the leading contributors in terms of authors, institutions, and countries, and the importance of advanced technologies and international collaborations in advancing the field.
Summary of the findings - Sažetak rezultata
This section provides a comprehensive overview of the key aspects discussed throughout this review, highlighting the findings, their implications, current trends, and future aspects in the field of forest fire mapping and management research.
Table 6: A comprehensive overview of the key aspects
Tablica 6: Sveobuhvatan pregled ključnih aspekata
ZAKLJUČAK
The bibliometric analysis of research on the mapping and management of forest fires reveals significant trends and insights crucial for advancing knowledge and practice in this field. The notable increase in publications from 2013 to 2023 underscores the growing recognition of the importance of this research area. The United States, Italy, and Indonesia emerge as leading contributors, with key institutions such as the USDA Forest Service and Shiraz University playing pivotal roles.
The analysis also highlights the central themes in forest fire research, including fire management, the integration of advanced technologies like remote sensing and GIS, the impact of climate change, and ecological consequences. These themes reflect the multi-dimensional nature of forest fire research and the necessity for a comprehensive approach that includes technological, environmental, and social perspectives.
Furthermore, the identification of influential journals and prolific authors provides valuable insights into the sources and contributors driving research advancements. Journals like "Science of the Total Environment" and "Sustainability (Switzerland)" are identified as leading platforms for disseminating research, while authors such as Hamid Reza Pourghasemi and Andrew T. Hudak are recognized for their significant contributions.
The keyword analysis emphasizes the interconnectedness of various research areas and the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches. This is essential for developing effective strategies to manage and mitigate the impacts of forest fires.
Overall, this bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive overview of the research landscape in forest fire mapping and management. It provides researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with valuable information to guide future research, enhance collaboration, and implement more effective fire management strategies. Continued efforts and international cooperation are necessary to address the escalating challenges posed by forest fires and to protect ecosystems, human health, and global climate.
By understanding the trends, key contributors, and central themes in forest fire research, stakeholders can better prepare for and respond to the increasing threat of forest fires, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future.