Environmental impact of oil palm cultivation (Elaeis guineensis): bibliometric analysis

Ismael Espinosa Palomeque, Ezequiel Arvizu Barrón, Juana Cruz Morales, Bernardo Espinosa Palomeque

Abstract


Background. Oil palm (Elaeis guinensis) has generated an adverse environmental impact in the regions where it is cultivated. A bibliometric analysis of the importance and effects of this crop has not been conducted in recent decades, despite exponential growth in planted area. Objective. To analyze the global problems associated with oil palm from an interdisciplinary perspective over the last 40 years, supported by a conceptual review of recent bibliographic trends, from the perspective of environmental sustainability. Methodology. Scopus was selected as the academic database for the information search due to its broad coverage in most fields of knowledge, ease of access, data visualization and download, and its conceptual bibliometric approach. Results and discussion. A total of 1,013 studies indexed in Scopus were identified as a result of the systematic search on the environmental impact of oil palm; 7 were published between 1985 and 2005, and 1,004 documents were found between 2006 and 2025. From 2003 onwards, the publication of documents increased due to a paradigm shift in environmental research, deforestation in Southeast Asia, and the ecological impact of oil palm cultivation. From 2016 to 2025, there was a significant surge in studies related to the impact of this crop, influenced by international environmental regulations, biodiversity loss, and deforestation worldwide. International scientific journals from countries such as the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and Italy are the most productive in publishing on the environmental impact of oil palm. Therefore, Mexico has an opportunity to increase its research efforts given the current importance of the area planted with oil palm and its ecological impact. Implications: Bibliometric analysis of oil palm could be a methodological tool in the development of environmental and agricultural policies for the oil palm agroecosystem and associated crops, considering the adverse effects it has had in other countries. Conclusion: This study documented the evolution of scientific research on oil palm over the last four decades and identified research trends to inform decision-making. 

Keywords


Climate change; deforestation; Elaeis guineensis.

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v29i2.66770

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6677

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