A bibliometric synthesis reveals human-wildlife conflict research maturing into a solution oriented interdisciplinary science

Abstract The escalating frequency of human-wildlife conflicts presents formidable challenges to global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. To map the intellectual evolution of this critical field, we conducted a systematic bibliometric analysis of 2,997 publications from 340 journals (Web of Science Core Collection, 1981–2025). Our analysis reveals exponential growth in research output alongside pronounced geographic disparities, with the United States, the University of Oxford, and Macdonald DW dominating production. Co-word and thematic evolution analyses identify a decisive paradigm shift: while early research focused on species-specific conflicts and direct mitigation, the field has progressively coalesced around the integrative concept of human-wildlife coexistence. Contemporary scholarship is characterized by the strong integration of social-ecological frameworks, emphasizing participatory governance, urban ecology, and movement ecology. Notably, the intellectual foundation remains anchored by seminal syntheses bridging ecological and social sciences, yet geographic leadership in publication volume does not directly correlate with broader scientific influence. These findings underscore the maturation of human-wildlife conflict research into a solution-oriented, interdisciplinary science. The field is now positioned to advance coexistence as a cornerstone of sustainable landscape governance and community resilience, providing a clear, consolidated knowledge base for fostering equitable and sustainable shared futures.