A bibliometric study on trends and hotspots in integrated forest management (IFM)-related research between China and the European Union

Abstract

Forest ecosystems are among the most important and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity. Integrated forest management (IFM) has gained prominence in European countries as a strategy to meet human needs for ecosystem services while ensuring biodiversity conservation. Given the complementary strengths of China and the European Union (EU) in forestry and the potential for collaboration, it is beneficial to compare and analyze the research status of both in IFM-related fields to provide insights into key areas and future directions for cooperation. This study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically evaluate IFM-related research status and trends between China and the EU. By examining publication trends, collaborative networks, prominent scholars, keyword co-occurrence patterns, research hotspots, and thematic clusters, providing a comprehensive overview of IFM-related research. The findings reveal that core research areas—such as forest management practices, ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and data-driven assessment methods—remain central to IFM-related research. In contrast, frontiers in climate change mitigation, disturbance and restoration dynamics, and multi-stakeholder governance represent critical areas for future exploration and collaboration. Our results provide areas for enhancing China-EU collaboration in future research in IFM.

Keywords

Forest ecosystems / Integrative forest management / Sustainable forest management / Biodiversity protection / China-EU cooperation / Bibliometric analysis

References

[1] Aggestam F, Konczal A, Sotirov M, Wallin I, Paillet Y, Spinelli R, Lindner M, Derks J, Hanewinkel M, Winkel G. Can nature conservation and wood production be reconciled in managed forests? A review of driving factors for integrated forest management in Europe. J Environ Manag, 2020, 268: 110670

[2] Ali A. Linking forest ecosystem processes, functions and services under integrative social-ecological research agenda: current knowledge and perspectives. Sci Total Environ, 2023, 892: 164768

[3] Alroy J. Effects of habitat disturbance on tropical forest biodiversity. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2017, 114(23): 6056-6061

[4] Aria M, Cuccurullo C. Bibliometrix: an R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. J Informetr, 2017, 11(4959-975

[5] Asbjornsen H, Wang YH, Ellison D, Ashcraft CM, Atallah SS, Jones K, Mayer A, Altamirano M, Yu PT. Multi-Targeted payments for the balanced management of hydrological and other forest ecosystem services. For Ecol Manag, 2022, 522: 120482

[6] Astigarraga J, Calatayud J, Ruiz-Benito P, Madrigal-González J, Tijerín-Triviño J, Zavala MA, Andivia E, Herrero A. Forest structural diversity modulates tree growth synchrony in response to climate change. For Ecol Manag, 2025, 579: 122505

[7] Bär A, Mayr S. Bark insulation: Ten Central Alpine tree species compared. For Ecol Manag, 2020, 474: 118361

[8] Baran J, Pielech R, Bodziarczyk J. No difference in plant species diversity between protected and managed ravine forests. For Ecol Manag, 2018, 430: 587-593

[9] Bhandari MS, Pandey S, Dabral A, Meena RK, Kant R. Global forestry perspective: COVID-19 impact and assessment. Natl Acad Sci Lett, 2021, 44(6): 571-574

[10] Blattert C, Lemm R, Thürig E, Stadelmann G, Brändli UB, Temperli C. Long-term impacts of increased timber harvests on ecosystem services and biodiversity: a scenario study based on national forest inventory data. Ecosyst Serv, 2020, 45: 101150

[11] Boeraeve M, Granath G, Lindahl BD, Clemmensen KE, Strengbom J. How does forest fertilization influence tree productivity of boreal forests? An analysis of data from commercial forestry across Sweden. J Environ Manag, 2025, 373: 124023

[12] Borrass L, Kleinschmit D, Winkel G. The “German model” of integrative multifunctional forest management—Analysing the emergence and political evolution of a forest management concept. For Policy Econ, 2017, 77: 16-23

[13] Brockerhoff EG, Barbaro L, Castagneyrol B, Forrester DI, Gardiner B, González-Olabarria JR, Lyver PO, Meurisse N, Oxbrough A, Taki H, Thompson ID, van der Plas F, Jactel H. Forest biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Biodivers Conserv, 2017, 26(13): 3005-3035

[14] Buzhdygan OY, Meyer ST, Weisser WW, Eisenhauer N, Ebeling A, Borrett SR, Buchmann N, Cortois R, De Deyn GB, de Kroon H, Gleixner G, Hertzog LR, Hines J, Lange M, Mommer L, Ravenek J, Scherber C, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Scheu S, Schmid B, Steinauer K, Strecker T, Tietjen B, Vogel A, Weigelt A, Petermann JS. Biodiversity increases multitrophic energy use efficiency, flow and storage in grasslands. Nat Ecol Evol, 2020, 4(3): 393-405

[15] Čada V, Trotsiuk V, Janda P, Mikoláš M, Bače R, Nagel TA, Morrissey RC, Tepley AJ, Vostarek O, Begović K, Chaskovskyy O, Dušátko M, Kameniar O, Kozák D, Lábusová J, Málek J, Meyer P, Pettit JL, Schurman JS, Svobodová K, Synek M, Teodosiu M, Ujházy K, Svoboda M. Quantifying natural disturbances using a large-scale dendrochronological reconstruction to guide forest management. Ecol Appl, 2020, 30(8): e02189

[16] Campos P, Caparrós A, Cerdá E, Diaz-Balteiro L, Herruzo AC, Huntsinger L, Martín-Barroso D, Martínez-Jauregui M, Ovando P, Oviedo JL, Pasalodos-Tato M, Romero C, Soliño M, Standiford RB. Multifunctional natural forest silviculture economics revised: challenges in meeting landowners’ and society’s wants A review. For Syst, 2017, 26(2eR01S

[17] Ceccherini G, Duveiller G, Grassi G, Lemoine G, Avitabile V, Pilli R, Cescatti A. Abrupt increase in harvested forest area over Europe after 2015. Nature, 2020, 583(781472-77

[18] Che Y, Jin GZ. Plant-soil microbial diversity and structural attributes jointly dominate the multifunctionality of the temperate forest. Ecol Indic, 2024, 166: 112282

[19] Chen CM. CiteSpace II: Detecting and visualizing emerging trends and transient patterns in scientific literature. J Am Soc Inf Sci Technol, 2006, 57(3): 359-377

[20] Chu X, Zhan JY, Li ZH, Zhang F, Qi W. Assessment on forest carbon sequestration in the Three-North Shelterbelt Program region, China. J Clean Prod, 2019, 215: 382-389

[21] Cobo MJ, López-Herrera AG, Herrera-Viedma E, Herrera F. An approach for detecting, quantifying, and visualizing the evolution of a research field: a practical application to the Fuzzy Sets Theory field. J Informetr, 2011, 5(1146-166

[22] Cruz Ó, Riveiro SF, García-Duro J, Casal M, Reyes O. European Atlantic deciduous forests are more resilient to fires than Pinus and Eucalyptus plantations. For Ecol Manag, 2024, 561: 121849

[23] de Koning J, Winkel G, Sotirov M, Blondet M, Borras L, Ferranti F, Geitzenauer M. Natura 2000 and climate change—polarisation, uncertainty, and pragmatism in discourses on forest conservation and management in Europe. Environ Sci Policy, 2014, 39: 129-138

[24] Dri GF, Hunter ML, Rolek BW, Evans BE, Mortelliti A. Forest management affects the functional traits of birds and mammals differently. Anim Conserv, 2024

[25] Estavillo C, Pardini R, da Rocha PLB. Forest loss and the biodiversity threshold: an evaluation considering species habitat requirements and the use of matrix habitats. PLoS ONE, 2013, 8(12): e82369

[26] FAO. Global forest resources assessment 2020: main report, 2020, Roma, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

[27] Fremout T, Thomas E, Gaisberger H, Van Meerbeek K, Muenchow J, Briers S, Gutierrez-Miranda CE, Marcelo-Peña JL, Kindt R, Atkinson R, Cabrera O, Espinosa CI, Aguirre-Mendoza Z, Muys B. Mapping tree species vulnerability to multiple threats as a guide to restoration and conservation of tropical dry forests. Glob Chang Biol, 2020, 26(63552-3568

[28] Guerrero F, Carmona C, Hernández C, Toledo M, Arriagada A, Espinoza L, Bergmann J, Taborga L, Yañez K, Carrasco Y, Muñoz AA. Drivers of flammability of Eucalyptus globulus labill leaves: terpenes, essential oils, and moisture content. Forests, 2022, 13(6): 908

[29] Gutiérrez-Salcedo M, Martínez MÁ, Moral-Munoz JA, Herrera-Viedma E, Cobo MJ. Some bibliometric procedures for analyzing and evaluating research fields. Appl Intell, 2018, 48(51275-1287

[30] Hájek M, Pulkrab K, Purwestri RC, Tichá M, Paduchová M. Life cycle assessment approach of silviculture and timber harvesting of Norway spruce–a case study in the Czech Republic. Front for Glob Change, 2024, 7: 1276740

[31] He J. Situated payments for ecosystem services: local agencies in the implementation of the sloping land conversion programme in southwest China. Dev Change, 2020, 51(1): 73-93

[32] He J, Sikor T. Notions of justice in payments for ecosystem services: Insights from China’s Sloping Land Conversion Program in Yunnan Province. Land Use Policy, 2015, 43: 207-216

[33] Hillebrand L, Marzini S, Crespi A, Hiltner U, Mina M. Contrasting impacts of climate change on protection forests of the Italian Alps. Front for Glob Change, 2023, 6: 1240235

[34] Hüttnerová T, Muscarella R, Surový P. Drone microrelief analysis to predict the presence of naturally regenerated seedlings. Front for Glob Change, 2024, 6: 1329675

[35] Jacobsen JB, Vedel SE, Thorsen BJ. Assessing costs of multifunctional NATURA 2000 management restrictions in continuous cover beech forest management. Forestry, 2013, 86(5575-582

[36] Jiang LH, Zhao W, Lewis BJ, Wei YW, Dai LM. Effects of management regimes on carbon sequestration under the Natural Forest Protection Program in NorthEast China. J Forestry Res, 2018, 29(51187-1194

[37] Jin JL, Chen WY, Jia BQ, Wang C. Cooling effect of urban greenery: a bibliometric analysis. Urban for Urban Green, 2024, 99: 128453

[38] Jonsson M, Bengtsson J, Gamfeldt L, Moen J, Snäll T. Levels of forest ecosystem services depend on specific mixtures of commercial tree species. Nat Plants, 2019, 5(2): 141-147

[39] Kallio M, Chen XQ, Jonsson R, Kunttu J, Zhang YY, Toppinen A, Zhang JP, Chen JC, Kranjc N, Cashore B, Yu B, Yong C, Pettenella D (2020) China-Europe forest bioeconomy: assessment and outlook. From Science to Policy 11: European Forest Institute. https://doi.org/10.36333/fs11

[40] Knoke T, Hanley N, Roman-Cuesta RM, Groom B, Venmans F, Paul C. Trends in tropical forest loss and the social value of emission reductions. Nat Sustain, 2023, 6(111373-1384

[41] Konczal AA, Derks J, de Koning JHC, Winkel G. Integrating nature conservation measures in European forest management—an exploratory study of barriers and drivers in 9 European countries. J Environ Manage, 2023, 325(Pt B): 116619

[42] Kovač M, Kutnar L, Hladnik D. Assessing biodiversity and conservation status of the Natura 2000 forest habitat types: tools for designated forestlands stewardship. For Ecol Manag, 2016, 359: 256-267

[43] Kyere-Boateng R, Marek MV. Analysis of the social-ecological causes of deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana: application of the DPSIR framework. Forests, 2021, 12(4409

[44] Laktić T, Pezdevšek Malovrh Š. Stakeholder participation in natura 2000 management program: case study of Slovenia. Forests, 2018, 9(10599

[45] Lan J, Lei XD, He X, Gao WQ, Guo H. Multiple mechanisms drive biodiversity-ecosystem service multifunctionality but the dominant one depends on the level of multifunctionality for natural forests in NorthEast China. For Ecol Manag, 2023, 542 121101

[46] Li YT, Wu ZZ, Xu X, Fan H, Tong XJ, Liu J. Forest disturbances and the attribution derived from yearly Landsat time series over 1990–2020 in the Hengduan Mountains Region of Southwest China. For Ecosyst, 2021, 8(173

[47] Lin BQ, Ge JM. Carbon sinks and output of China’s forestry sector: an ecological economic development perspective. Sci Total Environ, 2019, 655: 1169-1180

[48] Lin DM, Lai JS, Yang B, Song P, Li N, Ren HB, Ma KP. Forest biomass recovery after different anthropogenic disturbances: relative importance of changes in stand structure and wood density. Eur J for Res, 2015, 134(5769-780

[49] Lindh A, Sundqvist MK, Axelsson EP, Hasselquist NJ, Aguilar FX, Alloysius D, Ilstedt U. Functional traits to predict financial value of enrichment planting in degraded tropical forests. New for, 2024, 55(5): 1283-1310

[50] Martinez de Anguita P, Martín MÁ, Clare A. Environmental subsidiarity as a guiding principle for forestry governance: application to payment for ecosystem services and REDD+ architecture. J Agric Environ Ethics, 2014, 27(4): 617-631

[51] Marzini S, Tasser E, Wellstein C, Albrich K, Rammer W, Mina M. Future expansion of upper forest-grassland ecotone under land-use and climate change in the Eastern Alps. Landsc Ecol, 2025, 40(3): 55

[52] Mathes T, Seidel D, Klemmt HJ, Thom D, Annighöfer P. The effect of forest structure on drought stress in beech forests (Fagus sylvatica L.). For Ecol Manag, 2024, 554: 121667

[53] Matthies BD, Kalliokoski T, Ekholm T, Hoen HF, Valsta LT. Risk, reward, and payments for ecosystem services: a portfolio approach to ecosystem services and forestland investment. Ecosyst Serv, 2015, 16: 1-12

[54] Metzler H, Launiainen S, Vico G. Amount of carbon fixed, transit time and fate of harvested wood products define the climate change mitigation potential of boreal forest management—a model analysis. Ecol Model, 2024, 491: 110694

[55] Mori AS, Lertzman KP, Gustafsson L. Biodiversity and ecosystem services in forest ecosystems: a research agenda for applied forest ecology. J Appl Ecol, 2017, 54(112-27

[56] Mori AS, Tatsumi S, Gustafsson L. Landscape properties affect biodiversity response to retention approaches in forestry. J Appl Ecol, 2017, 54(61627-1637

[57] Mourao PR, Martinho VD. Forest entrepreneurship: a bibliometric analysis and a discussion about the co-authorship networks of an emerging scientific field. J Clean Prod, 2020, 256: 120413

[58] Nagel TA, Firm D, Pisek R, Mihelic T, Hladnik D, de Groot M, Rozenbergar D. Evaluating the influence of integrative forest management on old-growth habitat structures in a temperate forest region. Biol Conserv, 2017, 216: 101-107

[59] Nikinmaa L, Lindner M, Cantarello E, Gardiner B, Jacobsen JB, Jump AS, Parra C, Plieninger T, Schuck A, Seidl R, Timberlake T, Waring K, Winkel G, Muys B. A balancing act: principles, criteria and indicator framework to operationalize social-ecological resilience of forests. J Environ Manag, 2023, 331: 117039

[60] Oettel J, Lapin K. Linking forest management and biodiversity indicators to strengthen sustainable forest management in Europe. Ecol Indic, 2021, 122: 107275

[61] Oluwajuwon TV, Chazdon RL, Ota L, Gregorio N, Herbohn J. Bibliometric and literature synthesis on assisted natural regeneration: an evidence base for forest and landscape restoration in the tropics. Front for Glob Change, 2024, 7: 1412075

[62] Pan Q, Wen Z, Wu T, Zheng TC, Yang YZ, Li RN, Zheng H. Trade-offs and synergies of forest ecosystem services from the perspective of plant functional traits: a systematic review. Ecosyst Serv, 2022, 58: 101484

[63] Pausas JG, Keeley JE. Epicormic resprouting in fire-prone ecosystems. Trends Plant Sci, 2017, 22(12): 1008-1015

[64] Pillay R, Venter M, Aragon-Osejo J, González-Del-Pliego P, Hansen AJ, Watson JE, Venter O. Tropical forests are home to over half of the world’s vertebrate species. Front Ecol Environ, 2022, 20(110-15

[65] Pötzelsberger E, Spiecker H, Neophytou C, Mohren F, Gazda A, Hasenauer H. Growing non-native trees in European forests brings benefits and opportunities but also has its risks and limits. Curr for Rep, 2020, 6(4): 339-353

[66] Pretzsch H, del Río M, Arcangeli C, Bielak K, Dudzinska M, Ian Forrester D, Kohnle U, Ledermann T, Matthews R, Nagel R, Ningre F, Nord-Larsen T, Szeligowski H, Biber P. Competition-based mortality and tree losses. An essential component of net primary productivity. For Ecol Manag, 2023, 544: 121204

[67] R Core Team (2024) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. www.R-project.org

[68] Ranalli R, Galimberti A, Labra M, Biella P. Forest spatial configuration and local management influence bee pollinator biodiversity in urban and rural landscapes. J Environ Manag, 2025, 377: 124672

[69] Rendenieks Z, Nikodemus O, Brūmelis G. Dynamics in forest patterns during times of forest policy changes in Latvia. Eur J for Res, 2015, 134(5): 819-832

[70] Rigo F, Paniccia C, Anderle M, Chianucci F, Obojes N, Tappeiner U, Hilpold A, Mina M. Relating forest structural characteristics to bat and bird diversity in the Italian Alps. For Ecol Manag, 2024, 554: 121673

[71] Ryan Shipley J, Gossner MM, Rigling A, Krumm F. Conserving forest insect biodiversity requires the protection of key habitat features. Trends Ecol Evol, 2023, 38(9788-791

[72] Shen WJ, Li MS, Wei AS. Spatio-temporal variations in plantation forests’ disturbance and recovery of northern Guangdong Province using yearly Landsat time series observations (1986–2015). Chin Geogr Sci, 2017, 27(4600-613

[73] Simmavong T, Su YB, Deng Y, Wang B, Yao ZL, Wu JJ, Sha LQ, Cao M, Lin LX. Forest structure predicts aboveground biomass better than community-weighted mean of traits, functional diversity, topography, and soil in a tropical forest across spatial scales. For Ecol Manag, 2025, 578: 122457

[74] Socha J, Hawrylo P, Leszczynski K, Tyminska-Czabanska L. Height growth and site index models for main forest forming tree species in Poland. Sylwan, 2023, 167(10): 617-632

[75] Sotirov M, Arts B. Integrated forest governance in Europe: an introduction to the special issue on forest policy integration and integrated forest management. Land Use Policy, 2018, 79: 960-967

[76] Tilman D, Isbell F, Cowles JM. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst, 2014, 45: 471-493

[77] Triviño M, Morán-Ordoñez A, Eyvindson K, Blattert C, Burgas D, Repo AN, Pohjanmies T, Brotons L, Snäll T, Mönkkönen M. Future supply of boreal forest ecosystem services is driven by management rather than by climate change. Glob Chang Biol, 2023, 29(61484-1500

[78] Vacek S, Vacek Z, Remeš J, Bílek L, Hůnová I, Bulušek D, Putalová T, Král J, Simon J. Sensitivity of unmanaged relict pine forest in the Czech Republic to climate change and air pollution. Trees, 2017, 31(5): 1599-1617

[79] Van Eck NJ, Waltman L. Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 2010, 84(2): 523-538

[80] Vangansbeke P, Blondeel H, Landuyt D, De Frenne P, Gorissen L, Verheyen K. Spatially combining wood production and recreation with biodiversity conservation. Biodivers Conserv, 2017, 26(13): 3213-3239

[81] Vellend M. Habitat loss inhibits recovery of plant diversity as forests regrow. Ecology, 2003, 84(5): 1158-1164

[82] Verheyen K, Vanhellemont M, Auge H, Baeten L, Baraloto C, Barsoum N, Bilodeau-Gauthier S, Bruelheide H, Castagneyrol B, Godbold D, Haase J, Hector A, Jactel H, Koricheva J, Loreau M, Mereu S, Messier C, Muys B, Nolet P, Paquette A, Parker J, Perring M, Ponette Q, Potvin C, Reich P, Smith A, Weih M, Scherer-Lorenzen M. Contributions of a global network of tree diversity experiments to sustainable forest plantations. Ambio, 2016, 45(1): 29-41

[83] Wang C, Chu X, Zhan JY, Wang P, Zhang F, Xin ZL. Factors contributing to efficient forest production in the region of the three-north shelter forest program, China. Sustainability, 2020, 12(1): 302

[84] Wang L, Ren GP, Hua FY, Young SS, Wang W, Yang CY, Zhu JG. Integrating habitat availability into restoration efforts for biodiversity conservation: Evaluating effectiveness and setting priorities. Biol Conserv, 2021, 257: 109127

[85] Wang GG, Lu DL, Gao T, Zhang JX, Sun YR, Teng DX, Yu FY, Zhu JJ. Climate-smart forestry: an AI-enabled sustainable forest management solution for climate change adaptation and mitigation. J for Res, 2024, 36(17

[86] Wei XH, Giles-Hansen K, Spencer SA, Ge XW, Onuchin A, Li Q, Burenina T, Ilintsev A, Hou YP. Forest harvesting and hydrology in boreal forests: under an increased and cumulative disturbance context. For Ecol Manag, 2022, 522: 120468

[87] Wenglein R, Lu JZ, Scheu S. The influence of forest types including native and non-native tree species on soil macrofauna depends on site conditions. Ecol Evol, 2024, 14(9e70311

[88] Wildermuth B, Hagge J, Seifert CL, Tjaden R, Schuldt A. Beneficial effects of native broadleaved forests on canopy beetle diversity are not reduced by admixture of non-native conifers. J Appl Ecol, 2024, 61(51000-1014

[89] Wu W, Hu YM, Li YH, Gong JP, Chen L, Chang Y, Xiong ZP. Plant diversity and vegetation structures in the understory of mixed boreal forests under different management regimes. Pol J Environ Stud, 2016, 25(41749-1757

[90] Zhai DL, Xu JC, Dai ZC, Cannon CH, Grumbine RE. Increasing tree cover while losing diverse natural forests in tropical Hainan. China Reg Environ Change, 2014, 14(2): 611-621

[91] Zhai KY, Yin P, Revillini D, Liu SG, Yang QP, Chen LC, Zhu MN, Guan X, Zeng ZQ, Yang HX, Wang QK, Wang SL, Zhang WD. Regenerated woody plants influence soil microbial communities in a subtropical forest. Appl Soil Ecol, 2023, 188: 104890

[92] Zhang KR, Zhang YL, Tian H, Cheng XL, Dang HS, Zhang QF. Sustainability of social–ecological systems under conservation projects: lessons from a biodiversity hotspot in western China. Biol Conserv, 2013, 158: 205-213

[93] Zhang X, Su JX, Ji YH, Zhao J, Gao J. Nitrogen deposition affects the productivity of planted and natural forests by modulating forest climate and community functional traits. For Ecol Manag, 2024, 563: 121970

[94] Zhao FQ, He HS, Dai LM, Yang J. Effects of human disturbances on Korean pine coverage and age structure at a landscape scale in NorthEast China. Ecol Eng, 2014, 71: 375-379

[95] Zute DG, Samariks V, Šņepsts G, Donis J, Jansons Ā. Balancing forest regulations and stakeholder needs in Latvia: modeling the long-term impacts of forest management strategies on standing volume and carbon storage. Sustainability, 2024, 16(1280

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Northeast Forestry University