A systematic review on comprehensive sloping farmland utilization based on a perspective of scientometrics analysis

Sloping farmland (SpF) is an important component of cultivated land resources. In the context of food security and sustainable agricultural development, comprehensive SpF utilization has drawn wide and increasing attentions. A systematic analysis on the research progress of comprehensive SpF utilization is critical for a better understanding of the sustainable agricultural cultivation, facilitating the macroeconomic decision-making. This paper conducted a quantitative analysis of literature related to comprehensive SpF utilization over the past few decades (1946–2019) by using scientometrics methods, with the objectives to: (1) identify the research hotspots and summarize the relevant research processes in different time periods; (2) reveal the temporal evolution of those hotspots. Our results showed: 1) research on SpF dramatically increased over the past few decades (1946–2019), which can be classified into four chronological periods (I, II, III, and IV); (2) research regarding land productivity improvement and hydrological and erosion processes on SpF were dominant in the period I; (3) the research hotspots were switched to land use changes and associated soil erosion response, ecological disturbance and restoration as the social demand was intensifying in the period II; (4) the research focus of period III was aiming at the governance and rational utilization of SpF and gradually transforming to a large regional scale; (5) the intercross and penetration between disciplines had been continuously enhanced in the period IV, and the application of high and new technologies had also promoted the diversification of research methods, with aims to achieve sustainable agricultural development. Although considerable progress had been achieved around the world, more theoretical and empirical studies are required to understand the comprehensive SpF utilization and their implications to better support sustainable agricultural development.