Scientometric Analysis of Research Trends and Identification of Knowledge Gaps in Land Subsidence Studies in Iran

Mahmoodi, Alireza; Safavi, Seyedeh Zeynab; Asadi-Fard, Elmira; Soheili, Esmaeil

doi:10.22059/ije.2026.412357.1910

Scientometric Analysis of Research Trends and Identification of Knowledge Gaps in Land Subsidence Studies in Iran

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ shiraz university

² College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Darab, Shiraz University,

³ 3Ph.D., Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modaser University, Noor, Mazandaran

⁴ Shiraz university

10.22059/ije.2026.412357.1910

Abstract

Objective: Land subsidence is a national crisis in Iran, necessitating a systematic analysis of the state of research. This study aimed to develop a critical-analytical scientometric review by integrating quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive picture of the knowledge production structure, trends, focuses, and, most importantly, the major research gaps in this field.

Method: This research is a scientometric review. A systematic search was conducted in Google Scholar and Ganj databases to collect all relevant scientific documents (articles, theses) on landsubsidence in Iran from 2001 to July 2025. After screening, 547 final documents were critically examined based on quantitative scientometric criteria (temporal and geographical distribution, document type, institutional affiliation) and through qualitative content analysis grounded in a four-pillar conceptual framework (groundwater, remote sensing, modeling, geotechnical-human factors).

Results: The findings indicate a significant growth in research publications since 2015, with the highest number of documents related to 1401 (89 documents) and 1403 (86 documents). In terms of document type, theses and dissertations accounted for the largest share with 243, followed by domestic scientific-research articles with 224, while the share of international articles was only 37, indicating a deep gap in the maturity and scientific publication of this field. However, three major structural gaps were identified: first, a gap in integrated coverage due to an unbalanced geographical focus on Tehran and Mashhad and neglect of other critical areas, including the Mahyar and Najafabad plains of Isfahan; second, an excessive thematic focus on groundwater and remote sensing and relative neglect of fault and construction factors; And third, the gap in implementation resulting from the weakness of predictive modeling studies and the inadequate linking of findings to policy-making and executive management processes.
Conclusions: This review demonstrates that despite quantitative growth, the quality of knowledge production in this field requires a strategic transformation. Overcoming the subsidence crisis necessitates a shift towards 1) Enhancing quality and international publication, 2) Designing integrated studies with balanced geographical-thematic coverage, and 3) Strengthening the science-policy-practice nexus. The results of this study can serve as a roadmap for targeting future research investments and effective policymaking.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Ecohydrology

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