Bibliometric analysis of ethnobotanical research in India (1963-2024): Trends, collaborations and themes based on Scopus

Abstract

Background: Ethnobotany is a multidisciplinary domain that examines the relationships between ethnic groups and plant life, highlighting the traditional botanical knowledge. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of ethnobotanical research in India, utilizing Scopus-indexed articles from 1963 to 2024 to investigate trends, collaborations, and emerging themes.

Methods: The study employed bibliometric analysis, a quantitative method that utilized the Scopus database to extract bibliographic information from original scientific papers published in India. Biblioshiny and VOSviewer were used for data processing, analysis, and visualization.

Results: Research output on Ethnobotany in India began in 1963 and has continued to grow, peaking in 2023 with 847 publications, the highest recorded to date. Banaras Hindu University leads among institutions with 304 articles, while Kumar A. emerges as the most influential author, with significant collaborative links and citation impact. India holds the largest volume of publications, with strong international collaborations, particularly with the United States (link strength: 624), followed by Saudi Arabia and Australia. Citation patterns have shifted, with a recent focus on "Chronic Kidney Disease" surpassing "Medicinal Plants of India with Anti-diabetic Potential" in terms of citation count. The study identified Ignacimuthu S. as the most cited author (3237 citations), followed by Kumar A. (3081 citations). The rising frequency of keywords like 'medicinal plants' (602) and 'traditional knowledge' (426) over recent years reflects their emergence as key themes in the evolving landscape of research. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology has seen linear growth since the 1980s, while the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, established in 2007, has become a prominent publication in ethnobotanical studies in India, showing significant growth and remaining a key information source.

Conclusions: The study provides an overview that the ethnobotanical research is progressing in India, with some minor fluctuations, emphasizing the nation's commitment to sustainable development through research efforts and indicating the impact of funding and governmental support on scientific outcomes. The findings can guide future research directions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and policy decisions, highlighting opportunities for preserving traditional knowledge and promoting sustainable development in India.

Keywords: Bibliometrics, Scientometrics, Ethnobotany, Topic trends.