Bibliometric analysis of the state of knowledge on the ecology, ecosystem services, and spatial distribution of Vitex doniana based on Scopus data from 1993 to 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64707/revstsna.v45i01.2318Keywords:
Vitex doniana, ecology, ecosystem services, spatial distribution, bibliometric analysisAbstract
Vitex doniana Sweet is one of the most important indigenous woody species of the
African savannas because of the wide range of ecosystem services it provides to both
local communities and ecosystems. To assess the current state of knowledge on this
species in the fields of ecology, ecosystem services, and spatial distribution, a
bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix package in R based on
publications indexed in Scopus from 1993 to 2025. The results reveal a steady increase
in scientific output, with research mainly focusing on traditional uses, socioeconomic
value, domestication, and natural regeneration. In contrast, studies on species
distribution modeling and ecosystem service assessment remain limited. Benin,
Nigeria, and Burkina Faso were identified as the leading contributors to the scientific
literature, while the article by Vodouhê et al. (2009), published in Economic Botany,
was the most cited. Keyword co-occurrence analysis highlighted the main research
themes, including agroforestry, conservation, food security, forestry, and climate
change. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen ecological and spatial
approaches, particularly through ecological niche modeling (MaxEnt, ENM), to
support the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of V. doniana
across tropical Africa.
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