Global Evolution and Research Trends of the SWAT Model (1994–2024): A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a widely utilized hydrological model applied extensively in watershed studies worldwide. This research clarifies academic trends, evolutionary processes, and research gaps in SWAT-related studies through a bibliometric analysis of scientific literature. Publications on the SWAT model from 1994 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Analysis of 6,965 WOS-indexed publications reveals a substantial increase in publication volume over the past decade. The journals Water, Journal of Hydrology, and Science of the Total Environment published the highest number of articles. Moriasi et al. (2007) and Arnold et al. (1998) are among the most frequently cited works. The United States and China lead in both publication output and citation counts, with Texas A&M University, the USDA, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences identified as major contributing institutions. Keyword co-occurrence and time series analyses demonstrate a thematic transition in SWAT research, shifting from initial focuses on water quality and sediment transport to contemporary topics such as climate change, uncertainty analysis, and land-use change. This bibliometric study systematically delineates the historical development and current scientific trends in SWAT model research, identifies research gaps, and offers insights for future investigations. Consequently, the study serves as a valuable resource for academic and professional stakeholders engaged in environmental modeling and in the development of water management policies.