A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Trends in Habitat Suitability Modelling of Deer Between 1996 and 2025

Habitat suitability modelling is one of the most widely used approaches in wildlife science and biological conservation, providing important insights into the distribution of species and the factors influencing their habitat. Habitat suitability has evolved significantly with advances in geospatial technologies and predictive modelling. This study examined the literature on the habitat suitability of deer species worldwide, focusing on trends, challenges, and future directions, demonstrating widespread use of habitat suitability modelling in ecological studies and conservation planning. The study analyzed 53 papers indexed in the Web of Science from 1996 to 2025. The analysis revealed a predominance of publications cutting across ecological and environmental science journals. Word cloud analysis highlighted key themes such as species distribution modelling, conservation, and climate change impacts. Geographic analysis shows that the research on habitat suitability modelling of deer is mostly concentrated in the USA, China, India, and Canada, with growing international and collaborative efforts. Current trends include the integration of machine learning (46.4%) and remote sensing and GIS (21.4%) with ensemble modelling (14.3%) approaches to improve the accuracy of species distribution models. Challenges persist in acquiring high-resolution data related to species occurrence and observed climate. The bibliometric analysis emphasizes the importance of incorporating climate observations and projections, human dimensions, and adaptive management strategies in conservation efforts. Recommendations include enhancing landscape connectivity, implementing adaptive management practices, and developing more comprehensive habitat suitability models. The study underscores the need for expanded research in underrepresented regions and species, as well as increased interdisciplinary collaborations to address complex conservation challenges in an era of prevalent environmental change.