The Journal of Remote Sensing

which printed its first issue in 1997

publishes research on remote sensing

with a focus on the real-world effects of scientific innovations. To investigate the development of the Journal of Remote Sensing and remote sensing science in China over the last 20 years

we analyzed the status and trends of 1

804 papers published in the Journal of Remote Sensing from 1997 to2015. Based on bibliometrics

statistical investigation items are presented in this paper

including the total number of citations per year

average number of citations per paper

ranking among the top institutes and universities in terms of the annual number of published papers

annual number of papers supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

and so on. We also separately analyzed the quantity of publications and their citations related to standing issues and special ones. By comparing the co-occurrence relation of keywords during four periods

we conclude that with the increasing number of satellites launched successfully

quantitative retrieval models tend to become highly complex

and satellite observation technologies change from single-sensor satellite remote sensing to multi-sensor satellite remote sensing.In addition

a large number of remote sensing studies focus on multi-disciplinary crossing research

including disaster response

global change

air pollution

and food security. In this context

establishing national remote sensing application systems is imperative. Such systems will improve the state’s capacity for macro-control of the environment and resources

and they can provide a scientific basis and decision support for resource management

environmental protection

disaster reduction

and macro-control.