Constructed wetlands, 1991–2011: A review of research development, current trends, and future directions

This study explores a bibliometric approach to quantitatively evaluate global scientific constructed wetlands research, and statistically assess current trends, and future directions using the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) database from 1991 to 2011. Articles referencing constructed wetlands were analyzed by accessing the following: publication language, output characteristics, publication performance by country and institution, author keywords, title words, and KeyWords Plus. Synthetically analyzing three keyword types, we concluded that the dominant constructed wetlands research hotspots from 1991 to 2011 included water, nutrients, plants, and flow. These four hotspots remained the most dominant research areas throughout our study period, and are predicted to remain the top research emphases in the near future. “Soil” also exhibited a notable increase since 2005, and is likely to become another notable area of research interest in the future. “Phytoremediation” and “horizontal” were not identified in 1991–1995, but exhibited marked increases from 136th (0.5%) and 169th (0.7%) in 1996–2000, to 9th (3.8%) and 11th (4.3%) in 2006–2011, respectively. Therefore, given the heightened attention during the last 15 years, these topics are likely to become a primary research focus in upcoming years.

► A bibliometric approach to evaluate global scientific constructed wetland(s) research.
► Assessed current and future directions using a SCI-EXPANDED database from 1991 to 2011.
► Qualitatively analyzed three keyword types: author keywords, title words, and KeyWords Plus.
► The dominant constructed wetlands research hotspots from 1991 to 2011 included water, nutrients, plants, and flow.
► “Phytoremediation” and “horizontal” are predicated to become the next primary research focuses in the upcoming years.