Multidimensional evolutionary paths in agricultural resilience research: a bibliometric analysis based on citespace and SciMAT

Agricultural resilience refers to the capacity of agricultural systems to respond to extreme weather events while maintaining food security and system stability, and it has become an important topic in sustainability research. Although the literature on agricultural resilience has expanded rapidly, comprehensive bibliometric assessments of this field remain limited. Based on 3221 articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection between 2003 and 2025, this study applies CiteSpace and SciMAT to systematically map the development of agricultural resilience research. This study assesses national research output, institutional contributions, collaboration networks, and keyword co-occurrence to map the knowledge structure and evolution. The results show that agricultural resilience research has progressed through three main stages: initial theoretical exploration, mid-term practical application, and recent integrative studies. Current research focuses on adaptability, ecosystem services, and integrated analytical frameworks. Despite this progress, challenges remain, including the absence of standardized measurement indicators and pronounced regional imbalances in research attention. Future studies should foster interdisciplinary collaboration, integrate technological innovation with policy analysis, and develop multi-scale assessment frameworks. These steps will guide region-specific adaptation strategies under climate uncertainty.