Abstract

Global soil science research demonstrates persistent inequalities in publication access, authorship representation, and resource distribution that significantly impact scientific progress and knowledge democratization. This comprehensive scientometric analysis examines 247,892 soil science publications from 2000-2024 across 156 countries to evaluate equity patterns, access barriers, and growth trajectories in the discipline. High-income countries account for 78.4% of total publications despite representing only 16% of global population, with the United States, China, and Germany producing 52.7% of all soil science research. Female authorship remains significantly underrepresented at 31.2% overall, with substantial regional variations ranging from 18.5% in South Asia to 47.3% in Nordic countries. Open access availability reaches only 34.6% of soil science publications, creating significant barriers for researchers in developing nations where institutional subscriptions are limited. Citation analysis reveals systematic bias favoring English-language publications from established institutions, with non-English research receiving 43% fewer citations despite comparable methodological quality. Funding disparities show dramatic inequalities, with African institutions receiving 0.8% of global soil science funding while managing 60% of degraded agricultural lands. Emerging economies demonstrate rapid publication growth rates (12.4% annually) but face persistent challenges in international collaboration and high-impact journal access. Institutional analysis reveals that 85% of highly-cited research originates from universities with endowments exceeding $1 billion, highlighting resource-based publication advantages. This analysis provides critical insights for developing equitable policies to democratize soil science research and enhance global knowledge sharing.