Thematic Trend Analysis of Landscape Vitality and Sustainability of Rural Areas: An Approach to Enhancing Quality of Life

The vitality and sustainability of rural landscapes are fundamental to enhancing the quality of life for residents. This study aimed to analyze thematic trends in rural landscape vitality and sustainability, with a particular focus on quality-of-life improvements, and to trace their evolution over four decades (1980–2025) to inform future research directions. Using a descriptive-analytical and quantitative approach, this applied research developed a targeted search strategy to exclude irrelevant literature, ultimately analyzing 674 indexed publications through scientometric methods. SciMAT software was employed to map thematic networks, revealing key research clusters across four distinct time periods. The internal linkages within these networks highlighted dominant discourses, including communication planning for quality-of-life enhancement, ecosystem services, sustainability, and sustainable development as emerging focal areas.Findings from the fourth and fifth periods indicate a growing prominence of keywords such as geographic information systems (GIS), rural-cultural landscape, sustainable livelihoods, quality of life, public spaces, and communication management. These trends suggest that strategies emphasizing local cultural promotion, landscape preservation, and active social participation are critical to sustaining and improving rural quality of life. This study offers a thematic foundation for future research and policy development, particularly in light of the increasing global emphasis on landscape sustainability and rural livelihood enhancement.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Rural landscapes, as integral components of humanity’s cultural and environmental heritage, offer vital socio-economic benefits, essential ecosystem services, and foundational cultural support. The sustainability of these landscapes arises from complex, dynamic interactions between coupled human and natural systems, mediated through institutional frameworks such as laws, customs, and traditions. These mechanisms both shape and respond to spatial diversity, creating a continuous feedback loop that influences landscape vitality. This study addresses key gaps in the existing literature by: Systematically mapping the knowledge structure of landscape vitality and sustainability scholarship, Examining the interrelationships among various forms of capital in enhancing rural quality of life and Tracing the thematic evolution of this research domain over four decades (1980–2025). Using a comprehensive scientometric approach, the study offers a macro-level overview of core research themes and their developmental trajectories. Co-occurrence keyword analysis was employed to construct an authoritative science map of the field, serving both as a synthesis of existing knowledge and a strategic roadmap for future inquiry. The findings provide scholars with a robust framework for tracking historical developments, identifying underexplored areas, and recognizing emerging frontiers that warrant deeper investigation. Ultimately, this work aims to inform more effective policies and interventions for sustainable rural landscape management.
 
2-Materials and Methods
This study is a quantitative and applied investigation with a descriptive-analytical orientation. Methodologically, it falls within the category of library-based research, employing a bibliometric approach to systematically review literature in the field of Landscape Vitality and Sustainability: An Approach to Enhancing Rural Quality of Life. To conduct the analysis, SciMAT software (version 1.1.04) was utilized. This advanced tool integrates performance metrics with science mapping capabilities to examine the structure of a research domain and identify both specific topics and overarching thematic areas. Using the software’s modules, the science mapping process was carried out in several stages. These included data preprocessing—such as the removal of duplicate entries and stopwords, categorization of time periods, and standardization of singular and plural word forms—and data visualization through various formats. Visual outputs included thematic networks, strategic diagrams, and thematic evolution maps, enabling a longitudinal analysis of thematic shifts and developments over time.
 
3- Results and Discussion
The findings from the bibliometric and data analysis indicate that the most significant thematic networks in the domain of landscape sustainability and quality of life between 1980 and 2010 included: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), climate effects, rural areas, landscape, cultural landscape, and landscape change. These results are consistent with the study by Jimenez et al. (2020), which emphasized key topics such as cultural heritage and other critical areas that warrant continued scholarly attention, including national parks. The concept of sustainability was further reinforced through emerging themes identified in the keyword network, such as landscape quality planning and the environmental dimension of landscape. In research focused on landscape vitality and sustainability with an emphasis on improving rural quality of life, the first period was primarily characterized by studies on landscape change. The thematic network during this phase highlighted research related to landscape transformation, cultural landscapes, and rural development. In the second period, attention to landscape change intensified. The third period marked a shift toward ecosystem planning, while the fourth period saw the rise of keywords associated with the environmental dimension of landscape. Moreover, the study identified key research gaps in the field of landscape vitality, sustainability, and quality of life. These gaps—offering promising directions for future investigation—were categorized into five thematic areas: climate effects, rural areas, cultural landscape, landscape change and interconnected landscape systems.
 
4- Conclusion
The research findings indicate that the most prominent and recurring discussion topics across the fourth and fifth periods include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental indices, ecosystems, public policy, rural landscapes, cultural landscapes, sustainable livelihoods, and local management. These thematic networks and their internal linkages suggest that emerging areas such as communication discourses, communication planning, and ecosystem services hold significant potential for future research within the broader domain of landscape sustainability and quality of life. The study underscores that landscape sustainability contributes to quality of life across multiple dimensions—environmental, social, and economic. Furthermore, the analysis revealed key indicators that influence quality of life and foster a strong emotional attachment between rural residents and their place of dwelling. Effective strategies that promote local culture, preserve landscape identity, and encourage social participation are essential for enhancing the well-being of rural communities and ensuring long-term sustainability. Ultimately, a more sustainable landscape not only improves environmental conditions but also strengthens emotional bonds among residents, enabling them to better navigate economic challenges. This, in turn, supports the development of a more resilient, cohesive, and integrated society with an elevated quality of life.