Investigating the driving mechanisms of sand and dust storms (SDS) is of great significance for the early warning and prevention of SDS disasters. Existing studies mostly focus on local factors such as wind speed, vegetation, and soil in a single region, lacking systematic research on the driving mechanisms of SDS, which leads to insufficient overall understanding and restricts the integration of research progress and the refinement of future directions. Based on the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, this study adopts bibliometric methods with the “driving mechanisms of SDS” as the core theme to systematically sort out the evolutionary context and development trends of global research on the driving factors of SDS over the past 22 years. The research shows that, in this specific field, SDS research has evolved from the early analysis of spatiotemporal patterns and causes to multi-dimensional studies including driving mechanisms, quantitative contribution of source areas, and environmental health effects. In terms of research content, starting with cause analysis, it focuses on spatiotemporal laws and driving factors, and relies on remote sensing and numerical simulation technologies to explore the mutual feedback mechanisms between SDS, climate, and meteorological factors. The research forces are centered on scientific research institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, forming a significant academic leadership. This study also shows that the current research focus on SDS driving mechanisms is still centered on the analysis of meteorological elements and causal mechanism research. Future SDS research should focus on strengthening remote sensing monitoring, in-depth exploration of the occurrence laws of SDS and their environmental and health effects, and strive to build an intelligent early warning and prevention system. This study provides innovative methods and ideas for scientific sand and dust control strategies and research in related fields. Graphical Abstract Graphical abstract descriptions: This bibliometric study analyzes global sand and dust storm (SDS) research trends over 22 years using WoS and CNKI databases. The research evolution shows three clear stages: initial focus (pre-2008) on basic climatic drivers like wind and precipitation; intermediate phase (2008-2015) expanding to soil moisture, vegetation, and human activities; and current multidimensional investigations integrating remote sensing and modeling. China has led this research progression since the early 2000s, with Chinese institutions driving collaborative advances. The study highlights the growing complexity of SDS research, emphasizing the need for integrated climate-geomorphology-human activity analyses, improved early warning systems, and international cooperation to address SDS impacts and desertification challenges.

Sand and Dust Storms Drivers: A 22 Years Global Bibliometric Evolution

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月18日

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Zhiyong Zheng,
Haiping Luo,
Peihao Wang,
Zhengkang Chen

摘要

Investigating the driving mechanisms of sand and dust storms (SDS) is of great significance for the early warning and prevention of SDS disasters. Existing studies mostly focus on local factors such as wind speed, vegetation, and soil in a single region, lacking systematic research on the driving mechanisms of SDS, which leads to insufficient overall understanding and restricts the integration of research progress and the refinement of future directions. Based on the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, this study adopts bibliometric methods with the “driving mechanisms of SDS” as the core theme to systematically sort out the evolutionary context and development trends of global research on the driving factors of SDS over the past 22 years. The research shows that, in this specific field, SDS research has evolved from the early analysis of spatiotemporal patterns and causes to multi-dimensional studies including driving mechanisms, quantitative contribution of source areas, and environmental health effects. In terms of research content, starting with cause analysis, it focuses on spatiotemporal laws and driving factors, and relies on remote sensing and numerical simulation technologies to explore the mutual feedback mechanisms between SDS, climate, and meteorological factors. The research forces are centered on scientific research institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, forming a significant academic leadership. This study also shows that the current research focus on SDS driving mechanisms is still centered on the analysis of meteorological elements and causal mechanism research. Future SDS research should focus on strengthening remote sensing monitoring, in-depth exploration of the occurrence laws of SDS and their environmental and health effects, and strive to build an intelligent early warning and prevention system. This study provides innovative methods and ideas for scientific sand and dust control strategies and research in related fields.

Graphical Abstract

Graphical abstract descriptions: This bibliometric study analyzes global sand and dust storm (SDS) research trends over 22 years using WoS and CNKI databases. The research evolution shows three clear stages: initial focus (pre-2008) on basic climatic drivers like wind and precipitation; intermediate phase (2008-2015) expanding to soil moisture, vegetation, and human activities; and current multidimensional investigations integrating remote sensing and modeling. China has led this research progression since the early 2000s, with Chinese institutions driving collaborative advances. The study highlights the growing complexity of SDS research, emphasizing the need for integrated climate-geomorphology-human activity analyses, improved early warning systems, and international cooperation to address SDS impacts and desertification challenges.