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Review

Advancing Research on Urban Ecological Corridors in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Insights from Bibliometric and Systematic Reviews

by
Jing Li
1,2,
Lang Zhang
1,3,4,*,
Yang Yi
3 and
Jingbo Hong
5
1
College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
2
Shanghai Xiandai Architectural Design & Urban Planning Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200041, China
3
Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Ecological Landscaping of Challenging Urban Sites, Shanghai 200232, China
4
School of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
5
Center for Landscape Architecture Research, School of Design, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Atmosphere 2025, 16(10), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101174
Submission received: 21 August 2025 / Revised: 1 October 2025 / Accepted: 6 October 2025 / Published: 10 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Resource Challenges and Sustainable Management Solutions Under the Interaction of Climate Change and Human Activities)
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Abstract

The construction and maintenance of ecological corridors not only facilitate species migration and gene flow but also enhance ecosystem stability and resilience, providing critical support for achieving global carbon neutrality goals. Despite their importance, research on urban ecological corridors—specifically their role in carbon sequestration and emission reduction within urban environments—remains insufficiently explored. To address this gap, we employed bibliometric and network analysis methods, utilizing the CiteSpace6.3.1 visualization tool to systematically review existing literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database. This study examines the research progress and trends in urban ecological corridors from 2000 to 2023, focusing on their role and significance in the context of global carbon neutrality. The findings reveal the following: (1) Research attention has grown steadily from 2000 to 2023, with climate change, carbon emission dynamics, and biodiversity emerging as core themes, reflecting increasing global focus on the carbon neutrality functions of urban ecological corridors. (2) CiteSpace analysis identified key research hotspots through keywords including climate change, carbon cycle, ecosystem services, model simulation, and ecological network analysis, revealing the functional mechanisms and pathways of urban ecological corridors in carbon neutrality contexts. (3) Current scientific challenges focus on understanding three core aspects of urban ecological corridors, the compositional elements, spatial structural design, and functional capacity assessment, requiring systematic theoretical breakthroughs. (4) Future research should prioritize exploring mechanisms to enhance urban ecological corridor functions and constructing low-carbon urban ecological networks, providing theoretical guidance and practical pathways for achieving urban emission reduction and climate goals. This study contributes to integrating research on the effectiveness of urban ecological corridors and carbon sinks, offering theoretical insights and practical guidance for reducing urban emissions and achieving climate goals.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1. Urban Ecological Corridors: Definition and Ecological Functions

Urban ecological corridors are defined in various ways depending on the spatial scale and ecological context. At the local level, they are often conceptualized as green infrastructure networks that enhance connectivity between fragmented urban green spaces [1,2,3]. At the regional scale, they serve as broader landscape links, facilitating biodiversity movement and promoting ecosystem resilience [4,5,6,7,8]. Globally, the concept has evolved to include carbon sequestration as a crucial service that ecological corridors can provide in the fight against climate change. Ecological corridors can be natural or designed networks that serve both conservation and sustainability goals by mitigating habitat fragmentation, supporting species migration, and contributing to carbon neutrality goals [9].
Furthermore, at the global level, ecological corridors are increasingly recognized as components of climate change mitigation strategies. For instance, urban corridors designed with carbon sequestration in mind may also contribute to ecosystem services such as reducing the urban heat island effect and improving air quality [10].

1.2. Urban Planning Integration and Urbanization Challenges

The construction of urban ecological corridors is pivotal in implementing ecological space planning within the framework of national land spatial planning systems [11,12]. These corridors provide a multi-faceted approach to biodiversity protection, enhance urban and rural landscape quality, expand public recreational spaces, and elevate ecosystem service value. The concept of the “ecological city,” introduced in the 1990s, marked a turning point in understanding the interplay between urban biodiversity and development, with ecological corridors emerging as integral components of urban ecological safety planning [13,14]. However, urbanization, characterized by the proliferation of impervious surfaces and a reduction in ecological spaces, has transformed cities from green, nature-dominated environments into grey infrastructures dominated by concrete and steel [15,16]. Urbanization continues to drive large-scale human activities such as infrastructure development, water resource exploitation, and land-use change, which exacerbate habitat fragmentation and accelerate species extinction at rates nearly a thousand times higher than natural processes [17,18]. Ecological corridors play a crucial role in mitigating these impacts by enhancing connectivity between fragmented habitats and promoting biodiversity conservation [19,20,21].

1.3. Carbon Neutrality Context and Research Gaps

Urban ecological corridors play a vital role in carbon neutrality, primarily through their ability to function as carbon sinks. However, the theoretical frameworks explaining their contribution to carbon neutrality remain underdeveloped. While much is known about their role in enhancing biodiversity and providing ecosystem services, the mechanisms by which these corridors contribute to carbon sequestration across various spatial scales have not been fully explored [21,22,23].
Ecological corridors provide carbon sequestration through several mechanisms, including carbon absorption by vegetation, carbon cycling in soils, and the promotion of carbon storage in broader landscape elements. The spatial configuration of these corridors—such as their width, connectivity, and vegetation diversity—plays a significant role in optimizing their carbon sequestration potential. Larger, well-connected corridors tend to store more carbon over time than smaller, fragmented patches, emphasizing the importance of strategic design in achieving carbon neutrality goals. However, there is a need for a more integrated framework to understand how ecological corridor design impacts carbon sequestration at local, regional, and global scales [24].
The role of ecological corridors in carbon neutrality also intersects with other disciplines, such as urban planning, climate engineering, and socio-ecological systems. These corridors can contribute to climate resilience and urban sustainability by regulating local climates, improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, and enhancing the overall ecological stability of urban areas. Integrating ecological corridors into urban planning frameworks is essential for creating low-carbon cities and achieving broader carbon neutrality goals [25,26,27,28,29]. Despite this, existing research often overlooks the interdisciplinary nature of ecological corridors, focusing mainly on their ecological and environmental benefits without considering their integration into urban infrastructure and climate change adaptation strategies [30,31,32,33].
Future studies should prioritize the development of an interdisciplinary framework that integrates urban planning, climate engineering, and socio-ecological systems with ecological corridor design [34,35,36,37]. Research should also focus on the quantification of carbon sequestration across multiple scales and the mechanisms that drive these processes. Additionally, more attention is needed on how spatial design, including corridor width, plant diversity, and connectivity, influences the effectiveness of ecological corridors in both carbon sequestration and climate adaptation. These efforts will help create a more holistic understanding of ecological corridors and their role in carbon neutrality and urban resilience [36,37,38].

1.4. Research Objectives and Methodology

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review of the current research on urban ecological corridors within the framework of global carbon neutrality. By employing bibliometric methods and visualization tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace 6.3.1, based on data from the Web of Science (WOS) database, we identified research hotspots and cutting-edge developments. The specific objectives of this paper are to (1) quantify and illustrate the state of research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality, including temporal trends in publication output, patterns of scientific collaboration, influential journals, and subject categories; (2) explore and summarize key research hotspots and emerging areas in the study of urban ecological corridors under global carbon neutrality; (3) analyze the critical factors influencing the carbon sequestration capacity of urban ecological corridors in this context; and (4) identify research gaps and propose potential future research directions in the study of urban ecological corridors under global carbon neutrality. We believe that the findings of this study will provide valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for the planning and construction of low-carbon urban ecological corridors, contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality goals.

2. Methods

2.1. Data Collection and Search Strategy

As the Web of Science (WoS) is one of the world’s leading academic databases widely used for bibliometric analysis, we selected the WoS Core Collection as the source for our literature review. The search was conducted using the “Topic” field [39] to identify relevant studies on urban ecological corridors within the context of global carbon neutrality. To ensure comprehensive coverage, we selected a range of related terms and formulated the following search string:
(TS=(ecological network OR ecological corridor)) AND TS=(Carbon Neutral OR Carbon Neutrality OR dual carbon OR Carbon sequestration OR carbon stores OR carbon fluxes OR carbon sinks OR Carbon Balance).
This search covered publications from 2000 to 2023. Data collection was completed on 2 January 2024, resulting in the retrieval of 679 research items. The search was refined by setting the language to “English” and limiting document types to “Article” and “Review.” After applying these filters, 644 papers were exported in plain text format for further analysis and referencing (for specific details, please refer to Figure S1 in the Supplementary Materials).
Since all data used in this study were obtained from publicly available databases, no ethical committee approval or informed consent was required. The detailed search strategy is summarized in Table 1.

2.2. Article Inclusion Criteria

To ensure the quality of the retrieved articles, the titles and abstracts of each study were independently and meticulously reviewed by the first two authors. Full-text articles were downloaded for further analysis if they met the following inclusion criteria:
The study focused on urban ecological corridors within the context of global carbon neutrality.
(1) The information was published in peer-reviewed scientific journals or conference proceedings. (2) Articles that did not meet these criteria were excluded, as were those that merely mentioned the relevance of urban ecological corridors in a carbon-neutral context without conducting substantive analysis.
The data collection, screening, and analysis processes adhered to the systematic evaluation framework outlined in the PRISMA statement [40,41,42,43]. Any ambiguous or contentious cases were resolved through discussion among all co-authors until a consensus was reached.

2.3. Software Parameters

This study employed a dual-software approach, combining VOSviewer and CiteSpace to leverage their complementary strengths. VOSviewer offers automatic identification of collaboration relationships, minimizing human error in network analysis, making it ideal for co-authorship and institutional analysis. CiteSpace excels in keyword clustering and temporal evolution analysis, providing superior capabilities for tracking research trends and identifying emerging frontiers. For VOSviewer configuration (Version 1.6.18), data were imported in bulk using Web of Science format with complete bibliographic records. Key parameter settings included the following: association strength as the normalization method to reduce bias toward high-frequency items; attraction and repulsion parameters fine-tuned for optimal node positioning; resolution = 1.00 and Min.cluster size = 1 for appropriate clustering granularity; scale (0.8–1.2), labels, lines, and color parameters dynamically adjusted for visualization clarity [34,35,36]. Quality thresholds were established: minimum 2 publications per author for co-authorship analysis, minimum 5 publications per institution, and minimum 3 occurrences for keyword analysis. Three visualization modes were employed: overlay visualization for temporal evolution mapping, network visualization for collaboration network analysis, and density visualization for research hotspot identification. For CiteSpace configuration (Version 6.2R7), data processing used “Title, Source, Abstract, Publication Year” options with complete WOS records exported as plain text files. The timeline was divided into one-year slices (2000–2023) using the cosine algorithm for network strength calculation. The top 10% of targets were extracted from each time slice, with the top N keyword threshold set to 50 and node extraction threshold determined using the g-index (k = 25) [44,45,46,47]. Network refinement applied the Pathfinder algorithm (r = ∞, q = n − 1) and pruning slice networks to highlight significant structures while reducing complexity [48]. Keyword clustering employed the Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) algorithm with default parameters (dimensions = 100, iterations = 100) to identify semantic relationships and generate cluster labels. Additional analyses included Kleinberg burst detection for emerging topics, citation burst analysis for influential papers, and timeline visualization for temporal development mapping. Quality control measures included manual verification of cluster labels, validation of temporal patterns, and cross-checking between analysis modules for consistency and reliability of findings.
A potential limitation of this study is the overrepresentation of publications from China, which account for a significant portion of the overall research output. This regional imbalance is likely due to China’s strong focus on carbon neutrality policies, urban ecological planning, and green infrastructure development, which has led to substantial research investments in these areas. While this focus reflects China’s growing leadership in the field of urban ecological corridors, it raises questions about the global applicability of the findings. The predominance of Chinese studies in this review may skew our understanding of the global state of research on urban ecological corridors, particularly in regions with less research attention on the topic.

3. Bibliometric Analysis of Urban Ecological Corridor Research Under the Global Carbon Neutrality Context

3.1. Annual Publication Output and Trends

As illustrated in Figure 1, the number of publications and citation frequency in the field of urban ecological corridor research in the context of global carbon neutrality exhibited a significant upward trend from 2001 to 2023. The dual-axis visualization clearly demonstrates the relationship between research output (blue bars) and cumulative citations (red line), revealing both quantitative growth and qualitative impact evolution. The data reveal four distinct developmental phases: embryonic phase (2001–2005: 15 publications, 158 citations), emergence phase (2006–2010: 43 publications, 562 citations), expansion phase (2011–2015: 89 publications, 2528 citations), and maturation phase (2016–2020: 193 publications, 7866 citations). Notably, the most recent period (2021–2023) shows explosive growth with 304 publications and 10,294 citations, representing a 209% increase in annual output. The exponential growth pattern correlates strongly with global climate policy milestones, particularly the Paris Agreement (2015) and carbon neutrality commitments by major economies post 2019. Figure 1 illustrates a critical inflection point around 2015–2016, where both publication volume and citation accumulation accelerated dramatically, with annual publications jumping from 17 in 2015 to 28 in 2016, followed by sustained exponential growth reaching 130 publications in 2023. The citation curve shows steady acceleration from 2010 onwards, with the steepest slope occurring after 2018, indicating that research impact has grown even faster than publication volume. Citation efficiency peaked during 2016–2020 (59.7 citations per paper), indicating research maturity and high academic impact, while recent years show decreased per-paper citation rates (33.9) due to recency effects. The visualization reveals that while early research (2001–2010) maintained steady but modest growth, the field experienced a paradigm shift after 2015, transforming from a niche academic interest to a mainstream research priority. This trajectory indicates the field’s transition from foundational studies to application-oriented research, with sustained momentum expected as carbon neutrality becomes a global priority.

3.2. Analysis of National Cooperation Relationships

The national cooperation network, presented in Figure 2, illustrates the research collaboration patterns and publication output across countries. Notably, China and the United States dominate in terms of publication volume, reflecting the substantial research attention given to urban ecological corridors and carbon neutrality in these regions. However, a more nuanced analysis of the research themes and gaps in knowledge generation is required to understand the global landscape of urban ecological corridor research.
In China, research primarily focuses on carbon sequestration and the design of urban ecological corridors to support carbon neutrality. This strong emphasis on green infrastructure and low-carbon urban planning is evident in the substantial number of studies. Recent research in China also explores the integration of ecological corridors into urban planning, aiming to mitigate urban heat islands and enhance biodiversity. Despite this, a significant gap exists in understanding the long-term effectiveness of these corridors in diverse climatic and socio-economic contexts, suggesting a need for more studies to evaluate their functional capacity beyond just carbon sequestration.
In the United States, research has expanded to incorporate the social and economic impacts of urban ecological corridors, particularly regarding ecosystem services and public health. The U.S. also leads in developing modeling and simulation tools to predict the performance of ecological corridors in various urban environments. While research in the U.S. excels in quantitative assessments, there is a clear gap in integrative studies that combine ecological, social, and economic dimensions. This represents a unique opportunity for future research to bridge these areas and offer a more holistic perspective on urban ecological corridors.
Research in European countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom tends to focus more on policy integration of urban ecological corridors with climate change adaptation strategies. The European Union has made significant strides in implementing multifunctional green spaces that combine biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. However, there is a notable gap in cross-border studies that compare the effectiveness of ecological corridors across different European climates and urban contexts. This gap presents an important avenue for future research that could offer valuable insights into how ecological corridors can be optimized for diverse environmental settings across Europe.
Research in developing countries like Brazil, India, and Kenya is still emerging, often centered around biodiversity conservation and community involvement in ecological corridor design. These studies highlight the importance of local ecological knowledge and community-led conservation efforts. However, challenges such as limited funding and research infrastructure result in fewer studies on carbon sequestration or climate adaptation in these regions. There is a significant opportunity to expand research on socio-ecological systems in these areas, focusing on how ecological corridors can address both biodiversity and socio-economic challenges while contributing to global climate goals.
While there is a growing body of research on urban ecological corridors, several gaps in knowledge remain. Much of the research in China and the United States focuses on local or regional scales, with limited exploration of global-scale ecological corridors and their connectivity across national borders. Additionally, the social dimensions of ecological corridors, particularly in developing countries, are underexplored. Research in these regions often emphasizes biodiversity conservation but overlooks how ecological corridors contribute to socio-economic development and public health. Furthermore, there is a need for more long-term studies to evaluate the effectiveness of ecological corridors in various urban and ecological contexts, particularly in terms of carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
By identifying the research strengths and gaps in various countries, we can better understand the global trends and regional differences in urban ecological corridor research. Future research should address the identified gaps by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches that combine ecology, urban planning, and social sciences to fully explore the potential of ecological corridors in achieving carbon neutrality and enhancing urban resilience.

3.3. Analysis of Author Cooperation Relationships

The author collaboration network, as depicted in Figure 3, shows the contributions and cooperation between leading researchers in the field of urban ecological corridors and carbon neutrality. Key authors, such as Yu Qiang, Zhang Yan, Desai Ankur R., and Li Jing, have made significant contributions, driving the evolution of the research landscape through their publications and citations. Their works have greatly influenced the way urban ecological corridors are studied, particularly regarding the integration of carbon sequestration and climate resilience into urban planning.
Yu Qiang has been a prolific author in the field, contributing to over 11 articles on the topic of urban ecological corridors. His work, which integrates ecological corridor design with sustainability and climate resilience, has led to the development of multi-functional ecological networks that support both biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration. His methodological approach, particularly the use of spatial analysis tools to evaluate ecological corridor networks, has become a widely adopted framework for other researchers in the field. His research also emphasizes the social dimensions of ecological corridors, exploring how they can be designed to benefit local communities and enhance urban well-being.
Zhang Yan, with 10 published articles, has focused on the intersection of ecosystem services and urban sustainability. He has made critical contributions to understanding how urban ecological corridors function as carbon sinks, particularly in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem function enhancement. Zhang’s work has provided key insights into climate adaptation strategies and how ecological corridors can be integrated into urban planning frameworks. His studies on modeling ecological corridors and predictive analytics have been instrumental in shaping the methodology for assessing the ecological and carbon sequestration effectiveness of green spaces.
Desai Ankur R. has published six articles on the integration of ecosystem services and climate change mitigation within urban corridors. His research has been pivotal in developing quantitative models for assessing carbon storage capacity in urban green spaces. Ankur’s work on remote sensing technologies for monitoring carbon fluxes and his interdisciplinary approach to understanding ecological corridor dynamics have significantly influenced both theoretical and practical aspects of carbon sequestration studies in urban environments.
Li Jing, with six publications, has contributed extensively to the development of ecological corridor networks within the context of biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Li’s research has focused on creating comprehensive biodiversity connectivity models that are increasingly used to evaluate the success of urban ecological corridors in enhancing both ecological and carbon outcomes. Her work has led to significant advances in eco-corridor mapping and has provided critical data for policymakers working to incorporate ecological corridors into climate adaptation strategies.
The contributions of these authors have significantly shaped the research methodologies used in the study of urban ecological corridors. They have pushed forward the integration of spatial planning, carbon cycling, and ecosystem services, and their work has influenced the growing interest in how urban green spaces can be optimized for carbon neutrality and biodiversity conservation. Their collaboration and the impact of their published research have not only advanced the academic understanding of ecological corridors but have also provided practical frameworks for urban planners, policymakers, and conservationists working to implement carbon-neutral and ecologically resilient urban systems.

3.4. Journal and Institutional Analysis

A total of 1455 institutions have contributed to research on urban ecological corridors within the global carbon neutrality context, with only 105 institutions publishing more than five papers. The institutional cooperation map generated by VOSviewer is shown in Figure 4, revealing distinct geographical and disciplinary clustering patterns that reflect both regional research strengths and international collaboration networks.
Figure 4 clearly illustrates the dominance of Chinese institutions, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) appearing as the largest node centrally positioned in the network, ranking first with 75 research papers and 1677 citations. This central positioning reflects not only its publication volume but also its extensive collaborative connections across the global research network. The University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and Beijing Normal University are also prominent, forming a dense Chinese institutional cluster that demonstrates coordinated national research efforts aligned with China’s “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” policies. The visualization shows these institutions as interconnected nodes within the blue cluster, indicating strong domestic collaboration networks that extend their collective research impact.
The research focus of Chinese institutions primarily revolves around carbon neutrality, green infrastructure, and the integration of urban ecological corridors into sustainable urban development. This focus reflects the policy-driven approach in China, where national legislation promotes large-scale urban ecological projects for carbon sequestration and climate resilience. These contributions have shaped global research by providing critical case studies of integrating ecological corridors in rapidly urbanizing, carbon-conscious contexts.
The network structure in Figure 4 reveals distinct regional clustering patterns, with different colors representing institutional affiliations and research focuses. The red cluster in the upper portion includes American institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and various state universities, indicating strong inter-institutional collaboration within the U.S. research system. The green cluster on the right side encompasses European institutions, suggesting coordinated research efforts across European universities and research centers. The positioning of institutions like Oxford University, Cambridge University, and various European research institutes highlights the integrated nature of European research networks.
Research in the U.S. and Europe has a broader focus on ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and social impacts of urban ecological corridors. These regions emphasize the socio-economic and climate adaptation roles of corridors, supported by environmental legislation like the EU Green Deal and U.S. climate policies. While the American and European research communities have a strong emphasis on policy integration and multidisciplinary approaches, there is a noticeable gap in cross-regional research between these regions and developing countries. This lack of integration poses an opportunity for global research development.
The link strength analysis reveals that the CAS maintains the highest collaboration intensity, with 15,988, demonstrated by the thickness of connections emanating from its central node position. This extensive connectivity suggests that the CAS serves as a global hub for research collaboration, facilitating knowledge exchange between Chinese and international research communities. The University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing Normal University follow closely in link strength, with their positions showing dense connections within the Chinese cluster and selective international partnerships. The visualization indicates that citation frequency correlates with network centrality, with highly cited institutions such as the CAS (1677 citations) occupying central positions in the network. This pattern shows that research impact and collaborative engagement are mutually reinforcing.
The network visualization in Figure 5 illustrates clear disciplinary clustering, with different colors representing distinct research domains. The red cluster in the lower left, dominated by Science of the Total Environment, represents interdisciplinary environmental research journals that bridge different scientific communities. The blue cluster in the upper portion includes specialized ecology journals such as Ecological Indicators and Ecological Modelling, reflecting a concentrated ecological research focus. The green cluster encompasses forestry and agricultural journals like Agricultural and Forest Meteorology and Forests, highlighting the field’s connection to land-use and ecosystem management research.
Global Change Biology appears as a central node connecting multiple clusters, reflecting its role as a premier interdisciplinary journal that integrates climate, ecology, and environmental science perspectives. The citation impact analysis reveals that Global Change Biology leads with 1110 citations, while Agricultural and Forest Meteorology follows closely with 1106 citations despite publishing fewer articles, suggesting high per-article impact.
The link strength analysis reveals that Science of the Total Environment leads with 1675, demonstrated by its central position and thick connecting lines to multiple journal clusters in Figure 5. This positioning indicates its role as a primary hub for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, facilitating collaboration between environmental science, ecology, and urban studies communities. Global Change Biology and Ecological Indicators rank second and third, respectively, with their network positions showing extensive connections across different disciplinary clusters. This pattern indicates that high-impact journals serve as knowledge brokers, connecting specialized research communities and fostering cross-disciplinary fertilization of ideas.
The journal network structure reveals both disciplinary strengths and potential integration opportunities. The clear clustering pattern indicates well-established research communities within specific disciplines, but the limited cross-cluster connections suggest opportunities for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration. The dominance of environmental science and ecology journals indicates that urban ecological corridor research remains primarily within these domains, with limited integration into urban planning, policy, and engineering journals. The network topology suggests that future research impact will depend on expanding publication venues to include urban studies, climate policy, and sustainability science journals to reach broader academic and policy audiences. The positioning of emerging journals at network peripheries indicates the field’s capacity for continued growth and diversification, while the central role of established journals provides stability and continuity for knowledge accumulation and dissemination.

4. Research Hotspots and Trend Evolution Discussion

4.1. Research Hotspot Identification

Core research themes: Keyword co-occurrence analysis (Figure 6) reveals that urban ecological corridor research under the carbon neutrality context centers on five primary themes. The most frequently cited keywords are “carbon” (91 occurrences), “dynamics” (71 occurrences), “climate-change” (69 occurrences), “ecosystem services” (62 occurrences), and “carbon sequestration” (54 occurrences). These keywords demonstrate the field’s focus on carbon cycling mechanisms, ecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, and ecosystem service provision within urban ecological corridors. Research domain structure: The 266-node keyword network reveals seven major research categories, with strong interconnections between carbon-related research and ecosystem function studies. The high link strength of keywords like “carbon” (435), “dynamics” (405), and “climate-change” (385) indicates robust research networks connecting carbon neutrality objectives with ecological corridor functionality. Further analysis reveals that both “carbon” and “carbon sequestration” rank high in frequency and link strength, indicating their central role in studies focused on carbon neutrality, while “climate-change” emerges as a highly focused keyword, reflecting researchers’ concerns about its impact on urban ecological corridors.

4.2. Knowledge Structure and Evolution Patterns

Temporal research evolution: CiteSpace clustering analysis identified 10 distinct research clusters spanning from 2003 to 2020, revealing the field’s evolution from foundational ecological studies to applied carbon management strategies (Figure 7). According to CiteSpace’s calculations, each cluster is characterized by unique keywords, silhouette scores, and clustering years, providing valuable insights into research focus and evolution. Key research trajectories: Three major research trajectories emerged: (1) carbon flux and storage mechanisms (Clusters #0, #3, #8), emphasizing quantitative carbon cycling processes with keywords like carbon flux, machine learning, terrestrial ecosystem respiration, and carbon storage; (2) ecosystem services and spatial planning (Clusters #1, #2, #7), focusing on functional optimization with terms like ecosystem services, multi-objective optimization, and spatial planning; (3) monitoring technologies and network analysis (Clusters #4, #5, #9), developing methodological frameworks including mobile sensors, data management, and urban carbon metabolism analysis. Cluster analysis insights: Early clusters (2003–2010) focused on carbon storage mechanisms and ecosystem monitoring technologies, with Cluster #8 (carbon storage) showing a perfect silhouette score (1.0) and sustained research interest. Recent clusters (2015–2020) emphasize urban carbon metabolism and ecological network analysis, with Cluster #5 (urban carbon metabolism), formed in 2020, highlighting emerging research directions. The cluster analysis reveals that urban ecological corridors are increasingly recognized as critical green infrastructure that interconnect urban green space systems, enhancing ecosystem stability and resilience.

4.3. Emerging Research Frontiers

Temporal evolution patterns: The keyword timeline visualization (Figure 8) provides clear representation of cluster relationships and temporal spans, with nodes arranged chronologically to show research progression. From a frequency perspective, “carbon” (80 occurrences) and “climate change” (66 occurrences) emerge as dominant terms, while betweenness centrality analysis shows “carbon” (0.54), “ecosystem services” (0.27), and “climate change” (0.12) as key bridging concepts connecting various research themes. Research priority shifts: Temporal trends reveal distinct research phases: 2000–2005 emphasized carbon storage and forest ecosystems; 2005–2010 focused on climate change effects following IPCC reports; 2010–2015 shifted toward system dynamics and urban ecological networks; post-2015 research concentrated on nitrogen cycles and regional applications, particularly in China. These shifts indicate the field’s adaptation to emerging challenges and policy priorities.
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Figure 8. Timeline map of urban ecological corridor research themes in the context of global carbon neutrality. Burst analysis insights: Keyword burst analysis (Figure 9) reveals shifting research priorities over two decades. Early bursts (2001–2010) concentrated on atmospheric CO2 and climate change impacts, while recent bursts (2015–2023) emphasize ecological networks, urban metabolism, and spatial optimization. Keywords like atmospheric CO2, model, global change, soil, water, and climate change demonstrate sustained attention, while ecosystem (2009–2013) and ecological networks (2012–2018) show temporal research focus shifts. Current research frontiers: The analysis shows that carbon sink research primarily revolves around ecosystem services and ecological network composition. Clusters like #3 “carbon cycle,” #6 “carbon,” and #8 “carbon storage” have consistently been focal points, with #8 “carbon storage” showing particular longevity. Emerging areas include machine learning applications in carbon flux analysis and urban ecological network optimization, suggesting potential opportunities for further exploration and integration.
Figure 8. Timeline map of urban ecological corridor research themes in the context of global carbon neutrality. Burst analysis insights: Keyword burst analysis (Figure 9) reveals shifting research priorities over two decades. Early bursts (2001–2010) concentrated on atmospheric CO2 and climate change impacts, while recent bursts (2015–2023) emphasize ecological networks, urban metabolism, and spatial optimization. Keywords like atmospheric CO2, model, global change, soil, water, and climate change demonstrate sustained attention, while ecosystem (2009–2013) and ecological networks (2012–2018) show temporal research focus shifts. Current research frontiers: The analysis shows that carbon sink research primarily revolves around ecosystem services and ecological network composition. Clusters like #3 “carbon cycle,” #6 “carbon,” and #8 “carbon storage” have consistently been focal points, with #8 “carbon storage” showing particular longevity. Emerging areas include machine learning applications in carbon flux analysis and urban ecological network optimization, suggesting potential opportunities for further exploration and integration.
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4.4. Research Gaps and Future Directions

Critical knowledge gaps: Despite extensive research on individual components, significant gaps remain in (1) quantitative frameworks linking spatial configurations to carbon sequestration efficiency; (2) integration of multi-scale ecological processes within corridor networks; (3) optimization strategies for enhancing carbon sink capacity while maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. The analysis reveals that research strategies aimed at reducing emissions and increasing carbon sinks have struggled to integrate spatial positioning with carbon sink ecological processes effectively. Methodological limitations: Traditional ecological theories often emphasize expanding green space to enhance urban ecological benefits, but practical constraints limit indefinite urban greenery expansion. Moreover, disparities in regional development within cities influence carbon sink level distribution, resulting in uneven carbon sink distributions. These environmental differences within urban boundaries underscore the complexity of optimizing green spaces for carbon neutrality. Future research priorities: Based on the trend analysis, future research should prioritize (1) developing mechanistic understanding of carbon sequestration enhancement in urban ecological corridors; (2) constructing integrated low-carbon urban ecological networks; (3) establishing quantitative assessment frameworks for corridor carbon sink capacity; and (4) advancing spatial optimization techniques for corridor design and management. The need to address key scientific issues such as component elements, spatial structure, and functional capacity of urban ecological corridors becomes increasingly urgent. Synthesis and implications: The analysis reveals that urban ecological corridors serve as critical spatial carriers for carbon cycling processes within urban systems, linking fragmented ecological spaces and enhancing species and energy connectivity. However, current research has struggled to integrate spatial positioning with ecological processes effectively. Future research must focus on mechanisms and pathways that enhance carbon sequestration in urban ecological corridors while advancing low-carbon urban ecological network development. This integrated approach will provide essential scientific support for achieving carbon neutrality objectives through nature-based urban solutions, contributing to ecological sustainability and carbon balance in rapidly urbanizing environments.

5. Co-Citation Analysis Discussion

5.1. Co-Citation Analysis of Authors

The top 30 influential authors in the study of urban ecological corridors under the global carbon neutrality framework, along with their citation frequencies and connection strengths, offer valuable insights into their contributions and the significance of their research. Authors whose work has been cited more than 20 times are highlighted in Figure 10.
In terms of citation frequency, Zhang, Y, leads with 151 citations. His research focuses primarily on climate change and ecosystem services, employing model simulations and field observations to uncover ecosystem responses to climate change and the carbon cycle. This work has provided critical insights into the mechanisms underlying ecosystem services. Ulanowicz, R.E., ranked second with 93 citations, is a prominent scholar in ecological network analysis. His studies on the flow of matter and energy within ecosystems have elucidated the relationship between network structures and ecosystem stability. Baldocchi, D, with 90 citations, ranks third. His research centers on measuring and modeling carbon fluxes in ecosystems, leveraging eddy covariance techniques for real-time monitoring and accurate estimation of ecosystem carbon dynamics.
In terms of connection strength, Wohl, E, stands out with the highest connection strength of 63. His research emphasizes the restoration and conservation of river and wetland ecosystems. By exploring hydrological processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions, he has laid a vital scientific foundation for managing and conserving riverine ecosystems. The collaborative efforts of Fath, B.D., and Reichstein, M, also deserve attention. Fath’s work on ecosystem modeling and ecological network analysis has introduced innovative concepts and methods for understanding the complexity and stability of ecosystems. Meanwhile, Reichstein’s research on the global carbon cycle and ecosystem responses has advanced knowledge of carbon uptake and release by global ecosystems, utilizing remote sensing technologies and ground-based observational data to make significant contributions to the fields of carbon cycling and climate change.
Zhang, Y; Ulanowicz, R.E.; and Baldocchi, D have made substantial contributions to the study of urban ecological corridors within the context of global carbon neutrality. Their research spans critical areas such as climate change, carbon cycling, ecosystem services, and ecological network analysis. Using tools like model simulations, field observations, and data analysis, they have addressed fundamental questions about ecosystem responses to climate change, carbon flux patterns, and the interconnections between ecosystem structure and function.
In addition, scholars like Wohl, E; Fath, B.D.; and Reichstein, M have significantly advanced the field of urban ecological corridor studies through close collaborations with other researchers. Their contributions not only provide essential theoretical and practical foundations but also deepen our capacity to protect ecosystems. They have integrated research on urban ecological corridors and carbon sinks, offering valuable strategies for reducing urban emissions and achieving global climate goals. Together, their work underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving progress and innovation in this vital area of research.
The heavy reliance on Chinese research presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, China’s active engagement in implementing carbon neutrality strategies and ecological corridor projects has produced valuable insights. However, this regional dominance poses risks for the generalizability of the findings to other regions with different socio-economic conditions and policy frameworks. The absence of similar large-scale studies in other regions, such as Europe, North America, or Africa, limits the comprehensiveness of our understanding of how ecological corridors function in diverse global contexts. Therefore, it is crucial to interpret the findings within the context of the regional focus of the studies included in this analysis.
Future studies should address the global representativeness of research on urban ecological corridors by fostering international collaborations and ensuring that research from diverse geographical regions is adequately represented. Specifically, cross-regional studies comparing urban ecological corridors in different climates and socio-economic contexts will be essential for improving the global applicability of the findings. Additionally, it is important to explore how policy and local environmental conditions influence the design and effectiveness of ecological corridors in various regions, ensuring a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of their role in carbon neutrality.

5.2. Co-Citation Analysis of References

The top 30 references in the study of urban ecological corridors within the context of global carbon neutrality provide a comprehensive overview of key research findings and methodologies, as illustrated in Figure 11. Among these, the article by the R Core Team (2020) on the R programming language and statistical computing environment has been instrumental in equipping researchers with robust data analysis and modeling capabilities, supporting advancements in urban ecological corridor studies. Baldocchi, D’s seminal 2001 work bridged meteorology and ecology, unveiling the impact of climate change on ecosystem functions through analyses of meteorological data and model-based studies. Similarly, Pan, Y.D.’s 2011 article emphasized the critical role of the global carbon cycle, revealing its profound influence on ecosystem health and climate change through collaborative global research efforts.
Reichstein, M’s 2005 study focused on the impacts of global change on terrestrial ecosystems, highlighting their response mechanisms to environmental shifts through remote sensing and field observations. Costanza, R’s 1997 landmark study introduced the concept of ecosystem services and underscored the value of natural capital, providing a foundational theoretical framework for managing and protecting urban ecological corridors. Caporaso, J.G.’s 2010 research on microbiomes shed light on the functional interactions of microbial communities within ecosystems, utilizing high-throughput sequencing to elucidate their critical roles in ecosystem dynamics.
In 2010, Beer, C, explored the relationship between soil carbon storage and climate change, demonstrating the pivotal role of soil carbon cycles through global estimations and model simulations. Zhang, Y’s 2016 research highlighted the significance of producer responsibility and clean production, underscoring their relevance to urban ecological corridors within the carbon neutrality framework by analyzing producer behaviors and environmental impacts. Faust, K’s 2012 study on microbial diversity revealed their influence on ecosystem functions and stability, further reinforcing the importance of microbial research in ecological studies. Baldocchi, D.D.’s 2003 article focused on carbon fluxes in ecosystems, linking the carbon cycle to climate change through detailed field observations and model simulations. Cole, J.J.’s 2007 study on aquatic ecosystems demonstrated the significant contribution of lakes and rivers to the global carbon cycle, emphasizing their roles in carbon flux dynamics.
These references collectively encompass diverse research areas, including cutting-edge data analysis tools, the effects of climate change on ecosystems, the global carbon cycle, and ecosystem services [49,50,51]. By employing a variety of research methods and technological approaches, these studies have significantly enhanced our understanding of the functions and response mechanisms of urban ecological corridors [51,52,53]. They provide a solid theoretical foundation for the management and protection of these ecological structures, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change and maintaining ecosystem health. The breadth and depth of these works not only highlight the multifaceted nature of urban ecological corridor research but also underscore their critical importance in achieving global carbon neutrality and fostering sustainable urban development [54].

6. Conclusions

This bibliometric analysis used VOSviewer and CiteSpace to provide a comprehensive overview of urban ecological corridor research within the global carbon neutrality context, revealing significant research trends and development patterns from 2000 to 2023. Key research findings: This study reveals four major conclusions, including the finding that (1) research output has grown exponentially, particularly after 2015, with 304 publications in 2021–2023 representing a 209% increase, indicating the field’s transition from a niche interest to mainstream priority driven by global climate policies. (2) International collaboration networks show strong regional clustering, with China leading in publication volume (270 articles), the United States leading in citation impact (11,415 citations), and European countries demonstrating coordinated research efforts, though cross-regional collaboration remains limited. (3) Research leadership is concentrated among key contributors, including Yu Qiang and Zhang Yan, and institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences, while journals such as Global Change Biology and Science of the Total Environment serve as the primary knowledge dissemination platforms. (4) Research hotspots center on five core themes: carbon cycling mechanisms, ecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration processes, with emerging focus on urban carbon metabolism and ecological network optimization. Research evolution and future directions: Temporal analysis reveals the field’s evolution from foundational ecological studies (2000–2010) to applied carbon management strategies (2015–2023), with keyword clustering identifying ten distinct research trajectories spanning carbon flux mechanisms, ecosystem services, and monitoring technologies. Future research priorities should focus on developing quantitative frameworks linking spatial configurations to carbon sequestration efficiency, constructing integrated low-carbon urban ecological networks, and establishing assessment frameworks for corridor carbon sink capacity. The analysis indicates that current research has struggled to integrate spatial positioning with ecological processes effectively, representing a critical gap requiring immediate attention.
Practical implications and limitations: The construction of low-carbon urban ecological corridors represents a vital component of territorial spatial planning, offering solutions for biodiversity protection, urban heat island mitigation, and ecosystem service enhancement. However, this study’s limitations include exclusive reliance on the Web of Science database and an inability to evaluate detailed results across individual studies. Future research should incorporate multiple databases and develop more sophisticated analytical frameworks to address the complex challenges of urban ecological corridor optimization for carbon neutrality goals.
Significance for global carbon neutrality: Research in this area represents a promising avenue for achieving carbon neutrality objectives through nature-based urban solutions, providing essential scientific support for creating resilient, carbon-efficient urban ecosystems in rapidly urbanizing environments worldwide.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/atmos16101174/s1, Figure S1: Flow diagram of literature screening.

Author Contributions

J.L.: conceptualization, methodology, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, software, visualization, resources, validation, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing. L.Z.: conceptualization, methodology, writing—review and editing, funding acquisition, project administration, supervision, resources. Y.Y.: methodology, writing—review and editing. J.H.: writing—review and editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by the key project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China General Project “Correlation Mechanism of Multi-Scale Structure and Functional Connectivity of Urban Ecological Corridors” (No. 32171569); the National Natural Science Foundation of China, funded by the National Key R&D Program Project “Construction of Multi-functional Coupling Networks and Ecological Restoration Technology of Typical Urban Corridors” (No. 2022YFC3802604); and the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (23ZR1459700), Yangfan Special Project of the Shanghai Qimingxing Program (22YF1444000).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy.

Conflicts of Interest

Author Jing Li was employed by the company Shanghai Xiandai Architectural Design & Urban Planning Research Institute Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. The trend in the number of publications on the theme of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 1. The trend in the number of publications on the theme of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 2. National collaborative co-occurrence network for urban ecological corridor theme research in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 2. National collaborative co-occurrence network for urban ecological corridor theme research in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 3. Authors with more than two collaborative publications on research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 3. Authors with more than two collaborative publications on research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 4. Collaborative network of institutions with more than 5 publications on the theme of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 4. Collaborative network of institutions with more than 5 publications on the theme of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 5. Co-occurrence and collaboration network of journals with over three publications on the theme of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 5. Co-occurrence and collaboration network of journals with over three publications on the theme of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 6. Co-occurrence network of keywords with a frequency greater than 5 in research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 6. Co-occurrence network of keywords with a frequency greater than 5 in research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 7. Cluster diagram of urban ecological corridor research themes in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 7. Cluster diagram of urban ecological corridor research themes in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 9. Top 25 keywords in research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 9. Top 25 keywords in research on urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 10. Authors who have been cited more than 20 times in research on urban ecological corridors the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 10. Authors who have been cited more than 20 times in research on urban ecological corridors the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Figure 11. References cited more than 5 times in the study of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
Figure 11. References cited more than 5 times in the study of urban ecological corridors in the context of global carbon neutrality.
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Table 1. Data source and retrieval strategy process.
Table 1. Data source and retrieval strategy process.
ContentWeb of Science Core Collection
Database Information
Data sources1 January 2000–31 December 202324-year publication period
Search date2 January 2024Data collection completion
LanguagesEnglish onlyLanguage restriction
Document typeArticle and reviewPeer-reviewed publications
Search Strategy
#1217,996TS=(Carbon Neutral OR Carbon Neutrality OR dual carbon OR Carbon sequestration OR carbon stores OR carbon fluxes OR carbon sinks OR Carbon Balance)
#228,158TS=(ecological network OR ecological corridor)
#3679#1 AND #2
Filtering Process
#4664#3 AND Document types: (Article AND Review)
#5644#4 AND Language: (English)
#6644Final dataset after manual screening
Quality Control
Manual reviewConductedTitle and abstract screening by two authors
Inclusion criteriaAppliedFocus on urban ecological corridors in carbon neutrality context
Exclusion criteriaAppliedNon-relevant or superficial mentions removed
Final Results
Total articles644Ready for bibliometric analysis
Export formatPlain textCompatible with VOSviewer and CiteSpace
Data completeness100%Full bibliographic records with citations
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MDPI and ACS Style

Li, J.; Zhang, L.; Yi, Y.; Hong, J. Advancing Research on Urban Ecological Corridors in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Insights from Bibliometric and Systematic Reviews. Atmosphere 2025, 16, 1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101174

AMA Style

Li J, Zhang L, Yi Y, Hong J. Advancing Research on Urban Ecological Corridors in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Insights from Bibliometric and Systematic Reviews. Atmosphere. 2025; 16(10):1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101174

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Jing, Lang Zhang, Yang Yi, and Jingbo Hong. 2025. "Advancing Research on Urban Ecological Corridors in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Insights from Bibliometric and Systematic Reviews" Atmosphere 16, no. 10: 1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101174

APA Style

Li, J., Zhang, L., Yi, Y., & Hong, J. (2025). Advancing Research on Urban Ecological Corridors in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Insights from Bibliometric and Systematic Reviews. Atmosphere, 16(10), 1174. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101174

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