Systematic Literature Review of Conceptual Metaphors in Ecological News

Abstract

Conceptual metaphor analysis in ecological news has emerged as a pivotal intersection of cognitive linguistics and environmental communication. To map the domain’s status and evolution (2010–2024), this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) adhering to the PRISMA statement, analyzing 46 peer-reviewed studies across Scopus, ProQuest, and CNKI. The SLR found that conceptual metaphor research in ecological news grew steadily over the period, with Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) dominating as the core framework (57% of studies). Most research focused on discursive and awareness-level objectives, while behavioural impact studies remained scarce. The review also identified key gaps, including fragmented analytical frameworks, overfocus on mainstream print media, and limited cross-regional collaboration. Future trends include interdisciplinary integration (e.g., CMT with environmental psychology), multimodal metaphor analysis, and experimental behavioural validation. This SLR provides a holistic overview of the field, offering valuable references for scholars and practitioners in ecological communication and cognitive discourse studies.