Drivers Of Land Use Change Research Articles

Exploring Drivers of Land Use/Land Cover Transformations in Goang Watershed Ethiopia: Integrating Local Community Perceptions with Remote Sensing Data

Land use/land cover (LULC) changes driven by human activities are major environmental challenges in many developing regions. This study assessed local community perceptions and household-level drivers of LULC change in northwest Ethiopia. The study combined remote sensing analysis of LULC change with household surveys to understand local perspectives and the socioeconomic, biophysical, and institutional factors influencing household engagement in deforestation activities. The household survey data was collected from 384 randomly selected household heads, as well as from focus group discussions and key informant participants. The remote sensing component used ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 software to classify satellite images and assess LULC changes over time. The quantitative socio-economic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric methods of the multivariate probit (MVP) model, while the qualitative data was presented using content analysis. The study revealed that population growth, poverty, and food insecurity were the major underlying driving factors, while agricultural land expansion, settlement growth, fuelwood collection, overgrazing, and forest fires were the major underlying causes of LULC change. The MVP model result indicated that gender, off-farm income, access to training, family size, educational level, and agroecology were key determinants of households’ participation in deforestation drivers such as forestland clearing for agriculture, fuelwood collection, timber harvesting, and overgrazing. These findings highlight the need for integrated land use policies and programs that address the socioeconomic and biophysical root causes of LULC change. This study recommends supporting alternative livelihoods, promoting fuel-efficient technologies, and tailoring interventions to different social groups and agroecological contexts of sustainable land use planning and natural resource management in the study site. Future studies should compare perceptions and drivers of land use change across different regions to identify common patterns and unique challenges. This approach will enhance understanding and inform targeted interventions for sustainable land management.

Can regionalization enhance the performance of land-use change models in rapidly urbanizing areas?

The performance of Land Use Change (LUC) models is influenced by the regional spatial characteristics that trigger the changes. However, the literature on LUC models generally reports validation results for entire regions without considering subregions that differ significantly in their LUC drivers. This research explores how the LUC driving forces differ among subregions and whether regionalization can improve the performance of LUC models in areas undergoing rapid urbanization. We analyzed the Geomod, Cellular Automata-Markov, and Land Change Modeler models across rural and urbanized subregions on the western edge of Mexico City. Regionalization significantly enhanced the overall accuracy of the models and the concordance of spatial patterns with the reference data in rural regions but was of limited benefit in urbanized regions. This shows the need to consider regionalized modeling to improve the performance of LUC models when there are noticeable differences in LUC drivers between subregions. These findings will enhance the usefulness of LUC models for urban planning and land management policies, promoting more precise and effective decision-making.

Time series cube data construction and land use attribute change study based on high-resolution imagery

Abstract In order to better understand the changes in land use attributes, comprehend the drivers of land use changes, assess their environmental and economic impacts, and provide a scientific basis and data support for land use planning, environmental protection, and agricultural production, this study is based on Qiu County’s high-resolution image data from 2020-2022 and makes use of the latest research results of hyperspectral remote sensing technology to analyze its changes in land use attributes by establishing the time of the high-resolution image sequence cube data and solving the characteristic variables through band operations to quickly and accurately calculate a variety of remote sensing indicators and analyze the changes in their land use attributes. The results of the study show that vegetation in Qiu County will change significantly between 2020 and 2022, mainly due to seasonal and land-use changes; Water bodies will change less but more consistently; And buildings will change less, mainly focusing on villages and industrial land.

Effects of urbanization on orchid bee diversity and orchid pollination: From neotropical cloud forests to urban cores

Urbanization is a significant driver of land use change, profoundly impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide. However, its effects in the tropics, which host some of the planet's highest biodiversity, remain inadequately understood. Orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini) are key pollinators in Neotropical ecosystems, playing crucial roles in maintaining floral diversity and reproductive success of orchids and other plant families. Yet, little is known about how urbanization influences their diversity and pollination. In this study, we analyzed the diversity and composition or orchid bee communities along an urbanization gradient which extends from the city center to the surrounding cloud forests, which bear high orchid endemism while being highly threatened. Along the same gradient, we further evaluated pollination of a model native orchid, Gongora galeata, which is exclusively pollinated by the bee Euglossa obrima. As expected, increasing urbanization led to a decrease in orchid bee diversity, as well as a clear separation in species composition between urban and non-urban sites and a reduction in G. galeata pollination (i.e. fruit production). However, contrary to our expectations, orchid pollination also decreased with environmental heterogeneity and the abundance of its specific pollinator. Despite urban areas still hosting orchid bee species, our results reveal clear negative effects of urbanization not only on diversity, but also on the ecosystem function of a highly threatened group of bees. This study highlights the importance of considering local factors of urban landscapes for preserving not only biodiversity, but also fundamental ecological processes in cities.

Modelling the drivers of land use and land cover change of the great Amanzule wetland ecosystem to inform the development policy of the southwestern oil-rich region of Ghana

This study focused on the current and future drivers of land-use change and its impact on the Amanzule wetland. It suggests policy implications for reviewing and strengthening existing policies for sustainable land use. This study employed remote sensing and GIS techniques, including participatory rural appraisal techniques. The administration of questionnaires and focus group discussions were conducted in the Ellembelle and Jomoro municipalities, where the Amanzule wetland provides economic and social services. The results showed increased land use over the last 32 years driven by various drivers, including food crop production, rubber plantations, oil and gas establishments, and infrastructure development. The study further revealed that these drivers could influence land-use change in 18 years (2018–2036). Urbanisation, cropland, rubber plantations, and shrubland will drive land-use change in the study area between 2036 and 2054. The Amanzule wetland area is expected to decrease from 272.34 ha in 2018 to 210.60 ha by 2036. The wetland area is expected to further decrease from 210.60 ha in 2036 to 174.33 ha by 2054. Other land use classes, such as mangrove and swamp forests, are also expected to decrease within the same period. The study recommends advocating for a wetland policy, enforcing the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 925 and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act 919 for sustainable development.

Global threats of extractive industries to vertebrate biodiversity

Mining is a key driver of land-use change and environmental degradation globally, with the variety of mineral extraction methods used impacting biodiversity across scales. We use IUCN Red List threat assessments of all vertebrates to quantify the current biodiversity threat from mineral extraction, map the global hotspots of threatened biodiversity, and investigate the links between species' habitat use and life-history traits and threat from mineral extraction. Nearly 8% (4,642) of vertebrates are assessed as threatened by mineral extraction, especially mining and quarrying, with fish at particularly high risk. The hotspots of mineral extraction-induced threat are pantropical, as well as a large proportion of regional diversity threatened in northern South America, West Africa, and the Arctic. Species using freshwater habitats are particularly at risk, while the effects of other ecological traits vary between taxa. As the industry expands, it is vital that mineral resources in vulnerable biodiversity regions are managed in accordance with sustainable development goals.

Spatio-temporal analysis land use land cover changes in South Kashmir region of North-western Himalayas using Landsat data

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of land use and land cover changes in South Kashmir from 2000 to 2022 leveraging remote sensing technologies revealing significant transformations in various land cover classes. The study used maximum likelihood classification, a supervised classification method, to analyze Landsat satellite imagery and identify ten major land use categories. The findings demonstrate notable increases in, barren land by 18.78 km2 (0.35%), built-up areas by 72.28 km2 (1.33%), forests by 274.76 km2 (5.05%), grasslands by 68.06 km2 (1.25%), scrubland by 307.82 km2 (5.66%). horticulture experienced a significant rise of 419.17 km2 (7.70%), Conversely, several land use classes reported decline, agriculture by 757.21 km2 (13.91%), exposed rockmass by 258.58 km2 (4.75%), glaciers and snow by 136.83 km2 (2.51%), and water bodies contracted by 8.23 km2 (0.15%). The primary drivers of land use change in the region are identified as climate change, population growth, and economic factors. Climate change has altered precipitation patterns affecting agricultural productivity and leading to the retreat of glaciers. Population growth and economic reasons, including the rise of horticulture and changes in land use policies, have also played a significant role in shaping the landscape dynamics of South Kashmir. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of land use in South Kashmir, with significant implications for regional planning and environmental management. The study underscores the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of geospatial technologies in conducting spatiotemporal analyses and formulating evidence-based policies for the sustainable management of natural resources.

The Dynamics of Land Use Change in Metropolitan Areas: The Impact of Urbanization and Sustainable Management Strategies

Land use change is a global phenomenon with significant impacts on the environment, society, and economy, especially in metropolitan areas experiencing rapid urbanization. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of land use change, the driving factors, and the resulting ecological and socio-economic impacts. The method used in this research is a literature review with a qualitative approach. Data were collected from various secondary literature sources, including books, journal articles, research reports, and dissertations relevant to the research topic. The findings indicate that urbanization is the primary driver of land use change, leading to the conversion of green spaces such as forests and agricultural land into urban areas. The impacts of these changes include air quality degradation, increased flood risk, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Case studies in cities such as Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila illustrate how rapid urbanization transforms urban landscapes and creates complex environmental challenges. This research emphasizes the importance of sustainable land management through the application of landscape-based models that integrate spatial and temporal data to predict future land use changes. Evidence-based policy recommendations are provided to support more sustainable and environmentally friendly development. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of theory and practice in land use change studies and provide a framework that can be applied in various geographical and socio-economic contexts.

Climate extremes and land use carbon emissions: Insight from the perspective of sustainable land use in the eastern coast of China

The changing land use is one of the primary factors influencing the pattern of carbon sources/sinks, while climate change is a major driver for land use change. With global warming increasing, assessing the impact of climate extremes on land use carbon emissions remains a great challenge. Here, we explored the changes in climate extremes from 1961 to 2020 using the CN05.1 gridded observation dataset. The impact of climate extremes on land use carbon emissions was analyzed by Pearson correlation methodology. The results demonstrated that (1) extreme temperatures were trending upwards, and dry periods were long, but short periods of heavy precipitation were possible from 1961 to 2020. (2) In terms of the extreme temperature indices, the high temperatures indices were positively correlated with land use carbon emissions. For the extreme precipitation indices, the other seven indices except CDD were also positively correlated with land use carbon emissions. (3) Furthermore, the extreme heat indices were positively correlated with land use carbon emissions mainly on construction land. The wetness indices showed a positive correlation with land use carbon emissions in the middle of Shandong Province. (4) Additionally, the influence of extreme temperatures on land use carbon emissions in Shandong Province was larger than of extreme precipitation. Among all the extreme climate indices, TN10p had the largest effect on land use carbon emissions and was significantly negatively correlated. These findings will provide scientific references for regional responses to climate change and the promotion of carbon emission reduction.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Ecosystem Provisioning Service and Its Correlation with Food Production in the Songhua River Basin, Northeastern China

Provisioning services are essential components of ecosystem services. Food production is usually a driver of land use change, which has the effect on altering the provisioning services of ecosystems. As one of the main areas of food production in China, the provisioning services of the Songhua River Basin (SHRB) should be taken seriously. In view of this, it is urgent to carry out a study on the assessment of provisioning services in the SHRB to provide data support and scientific reference for the optimization of the spatial pattern of land use in the basin, the sustainable development of agriculture, and the formulation of differentiated protection policies. In this study, based on the equivalent factor method for the unit area value and spatial autocorrelation with the Moran’s I, we assessed the provisioning services values (PSV) of the SHRB every ten years during the period of 2000–2020 under different land use types and analyzed the relationships between different PSV and the production of four different food types, including rice, wheat, corn, and soja. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the area of paddy fields in the SHRB increased and then decreased, while the area of dry lands continued to increase. The land use transfer matrix showed a significant expansion of paddy fields (+0.55 × 104 km2), shrinkage of grassland (−0.72 × 104 km2), and loss of water body (−0.43 × 104 km2) in the SHRB from 2000 to 2020; (2) The PSV in the SHRB showed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2020, growing by 16.73 × 1010 RMB, with the growth in 2010–2020 being greater than in 2000–2010. The order of increase in each type of PSV was: water supply > food supply > raw material supply; (3) Spatially, the increase in PSV per unit and total PSV in the SHRB was lesser in the center and greater in the east and west. Meanwhile, the spatial distribution of various PSV showed that the value of unit area food supply was higher in the central and eastern plains, while the raw material supply and water supply were higher in the western and eastern hilly areas. (4) In terms of spatial correlation, the distribution of soja production with the total PSV, food supply, raw materials supply, and water supply services values were positively spatially correlated. However, the production of rice, wheat, and corn with the total PSV, food supply, and raw materials supply services values were negatively spatially correlated. Cluster analysis revealed that changing the crop cultivation structure could protect the ecosystem and increase the value of ecosystem services.

The large-scale expansion of rubber plantations in southern India: major impacts and the changing nature of drivers

This study investigates the major environmental and socio-economic impacts of an increase in the area of rubber plantations and the changing patterns of drivers of land use changes. Using a combination of geospatial techniques and socio-economic methods, we mainly analyzed the rate of increase in area under rubber plantations, the major impacts of land use changes, and the changing drivers of land use changes. Our results show that the area under rubber plantations has increased significantly within the study area, with the area under rubber plantations increasing from 30 to 74% of the total area within five decades. Impact assessment of land use changes based on household surveys showed significant improvement in the socio-economic conditions of the farmers, however, at the expense of severe environmental degradation. Our results also indicate that while areas under rubber plantations continue to increase, the drivers of land use changes have changed over time. Furthermore, it has been observed that in the past, many interventions prioritized social and economic development and placed less emphasis on the ecological stability of the region. Perceptions of farmers revealed that the effects of ecological fragility already affected the economic robustness of the whole area. Therefore, we conclude that government interventions to support additional rubber cultivation should also focus on ecosystem stabilization in order to minimize the risk of an ecological catastrophe that would significantly affect the economic prosperity of the region.

Key Drivers of Land Use Changes in the Rural Area of Gargano (South Italy) and Their Implications for the Local Sustainable Development

This study examines the dynamics of land use and land cover change (LULCC) in the Gargano area (Southern Italy) to reveal crucial insights into the socio-economic and environmental impacts on its unique natural and cultural resources. This analysis was conducted using a mixed approach of GIS data and expert interviews to investigate significant changes in the Gargano area, from 2000 to 2018, and their drivers. Artificial surfaces gained 22% of their original surfaces, while heterogeneous areas and pastures lost 25% and 78%, respectively. Urbanization and deforestation emerged as major concerns, reflecting heightened sensitivity to these transformative processes. Agricultural intensification and support policies were perceived as potential pressure sources on specific natural components. Conversely, these drivers counteracted land abandonment. Drivers such as education level and agricultural extensification were seen as levers for a more desirable land cover dynamic. Identified actions include providing targeted support for agriculture within environmental constraints, addressing land ownership fragmentation, supporting agricultural extensification, and promoting environmental awareness.

Considering Historical Land Use When Estimating Soil Carbon Stock Changes of Transitional Croplands

Understanding changes to soil organic carbon storage (SOC) requires knowledge of detailed land use history. Many satellite-based analyses of land use change have been conducted over short periods (typically 5 to 10 years) to investigate causality to a demand increase in an agricultural commodity. However, statistically significant changes in SOC are not readily observable during this time and typically require decades for meaningful differences to accrue. This study aimed to determine land use and soil organic carbon stocks on land parcels over 36 years (1985–2021) located in areas where historical land use transitions between cropland and non-cropland are prevalent. Aerial and satellite imagery were analyzed across 25,992 hectares in ten counties across the Corn Belt. Grower interviews were conducted to solicit feedback on the drivers of land use change. Finally, SOC analyses associated with land use changes were determined using two process-based models. Analysis showed that 371 of the parcels had remained in cropland, 611 parcels transitioned into non-cropland, and 18 parcels were identified as non-cropland. The grower surveys indicated that the most common reasons for returning land to crop was the difficulty getting land re-enrolled in the CRP and reduced cattle prices. Both the SALUS and GREET-CCLUB models were parameterized to assess soil carbon changes for the respective land use history, and both models returned consistent SOC increases at the county level over time.

Using participatory mapping for a shared understanding of deforestation dynamics in Murehwa district, Zimbabwe

This paper presents the results of a study using participatory mapping to collectively understand deforestation dynamics in Murehwa, a communal area approximately 90 km northeast of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. The study engaged smallholder farmers in a deliberative process through participatory mapping exercises in 15 villages. For each exercise, participants collaboratively drew two maps of their village, one for 1990 and another for 2021. They depict village boundaries, land uses and the magnitude of change between the two dates. Participatory mapping served as a platform for collective thinking, with the resulting maps used to facilitate discussions. They involved comparing land use between the two maps and identifying the drivers of the observed changes. Thematic approach was used to analyse the discussions in order to come up with collectively identified drivers of land use changes. The findings show that deforestation and resulting land use changes are primarily rooted in economic depression, selling of wood, tobacco farming, veld fires, unauthorised wood exploitation, illegal selling of land, increase in gardening, agricultural expansion and population growth. These results lay a foundational step towards the co-construction of a governance framework for practising agriculture in forest-adjacent areas. Moreover, the paper shares methodological reflections and experiences intended to promote initiatives where the construction of a shared understanding facilitates sustainable land-use practices that foster natural resource conservation.

Pemberdayaan Lahan Sempit Bagi Masyarakat Perkotaan dalam Meningkatkan Minat Berwirausaha pada Subsektor Usaha Tani Perkotaan

Land management is the process of making and planning decisions, directing, organizing, and managing human, physical, financial, and information resources to achieve organizational goals in efficient and effective land management. Changes in land use in urban areas are increasing along with urban expansion and development. Trends in land use in metropolitan areas reflect economic and demographic expansion, as well as societal preferences as drivers of land use change. To achieve household food self-sufficiency and sustainable urban growth, urban areas need regulations to limit changes in land use. Agricultural techniques in urban environments are currently developing according to zone features and land availability. Vegetables, horticultural, ornamental, and medicinal plants are the only crops grown in the city. The purpose of this research is to show how limited urban space can be used for agriculture and family food self-sufficiency.

Urbanisation reduced body size but potentially improved flight performance in bees and wasps

Urbanisation is a main driver of land-use change, leading to rising in temperatures and fragmentation and reduction of green areas. Bees and wasps, which are important insect groups due to the ecosystem services they provide, may respond to this disturbance via changes in morphological traits which are functionally relevant. To date, studies focusing on this aspect only investigated few social bee species, and often gave contrasting results even at intra-generic level. Here, we studied how body size, wing loading, wing aspect ratio and wing fluctuating asymmetry vary in a social ground-nesting bee (Halictus scabiosae), a solitary hole-nesting bee (Osmia cornuta) and a social paper wasp (Polistes dominula) along an urbanisation gradient within Milan (Italy). By assessing the effects of temperature, green areas fragmentation and vegetation productivity on the above-listed functional traits, we found the three species to variably respond to increasing urbanisation, albeit the driving environmental parameters differed among species. More specifically, smaller individuals were sampled in warmer (for bees) and in less productive (for wasps) areas along the urbanisation gradient. Furthermore, greater wing aspect ratio values were recorded at warmer locations for H. scabiosae, lower wing loading was recorded at more fragmented sites for O. cornuta, and greater wing loading was recorded at locations with greater productivity for P. dominula. H. scabiosae and P. dominula showed greater wing fluctuating asymmetry at more fragmented sites. Although distinct species seemed sensitive to different driving factors, our results point toward a consistent response: smaller body but potentially improved flight performance in more urbanised environments.

Detecting changes in land occupation and use (between 1984-2021) using "GEE" and GIS tools: focus on the green structure of the future metropolis of Annaba (north-east Algeria)

Annaba, Algeria's fourth largest city, has acquired national and international importance due to its openness to the Mediterranean Sea. Over the last ten years, its rapid sprawl has continued to exacerbate the situation, leading to increased consumption of space, particularly green structures. The main objective of this study is to assess changes in land use and land cover (LULC) over the last 30 years, focusing on the green structure of the future metropolis.
 Google Earth Engine (GEE) was used to explore land cover classification using the random forest algorithm. A spatial model of the main changes in land cover between 1984, 2004 and 2021 was also generated.
 The principal drivers of land use change are human activities and urbanization, including fires and land clearing.The spatial pattern of change is mainly due to inappropriate investment policy and uncontrolled urbanisation. This is explained by the main results of the land use conversion processes between 1984 and 2021. The comparison shows a decline in forests and green land, mainly due to conversion to urbanised land, cropland, bare land or other land. Similarly, bare land and other types of land declined over the 1984-2004 period in favour of urbanised or cultivated land. Furthermore, it compromises any possibility of sustainable development at a time when we are facing climate change.

EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH TRAINING ON HYDROPONIC AGRICULTURE METHODS IN INCREASING FOOD INDEPENDENCE IN MERUYA UTARA,WEST JAKARTA

Changes in urban land use are increasing along with the growth and development of urban areas. Economic and population growth as well as community preferences as drivers of land use change are reflected in land use patterns in urban areas. Urban areas need policies to control changes in land use to realize family food independence and sustainable urban development. Urban agricultural practices that are currently developing follow zone characteristics and are in accordance with land availability. Urban agricultural activities are limited to vegetables, horticulture, ornamental plants and medicinal plants. This paper aims to describe the use of limited urban land for agriculture, women's empowerment and family food independence. The results of this activity are direct practice of the hydroponic method which can be carried out on limited land as well as ongoing guidance to women and housewives in North Meruya.

The dynamic impact of land use change on ecosystem services as the fast GDP growth in Guiyang city

The rapid growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in developing countries may lead to the overconsumption of ecosystem services (ESs). This situation presents as the imbalance of ecological conservation and economic development, as is the case in areas of West China, such as Guiyang city. This study utilized the PLUS model to simulate future land use/land cover (LULC) scenarios and the InVEST model to assess the ESs in relation to rapid GDP growth in Guiyang city. The research findings reveal the following: 1) the growth of developed land contributes to ecosystem degradation and increased potential ecological hazards. The implementation of GDP growth policies may be the potential driver of land use change and a factor influencing changes in ESs. For example, between 2010 and 2020, the area of developed land increased by 339%, but the soil retention and carbon storage decreased by 2.04% and 3.26%, respectively. 2) The changes in GDP and ESs showed spatial heterogeneity. From 2020 to 2030, the general hot spot distribution of ESs and GDP was consistent, which was closely related to land use change. 3) Trade-offs and synergistic effects exist between GDP and ESs, including a trade-off between GDP and soil retention and synergy between GDP and water yield. GDP growth comes at the expense of ESs. The study emphasizes the need to prioritize ecological conservation in the degraded areas of southern Guiyang city. It urges stronger management of ecological redlines, stricter construction land policies, and a balanced approach to economic development and ecological protection.

Multi-Scale Drivers of Land-Use Changes at Farm Level II: Application of Conceptual Framework in the Salinity Intrusion Zone of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta and Cross-Case Comparison with the Highly Flooded Zone

Frequent drought and worsening salinity intrusion challenge future land uses and livelihoods in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The central government is, therefore, formulating a new strategy premised on adaption to natural environmental dynamics. For an achievable strategy that bridges the gap between plans and practice, it is important to understand what drives land-use changes at the farm level. Previous research developed and applied a multi-scale drivers framework in the highly flooded zone of the delta. The current study uses that same framework to investigate the land-use history and drivers of change in the salinity intrusion zone of this delta from 1975 to 2016. We interviewed 32 farmers in Tra Vinh Province and used transcript analysis to quantify the influence of the drivers that the farmers mentioned. We then compared the drivers of land-use change with those found earlier in the highly flooded zone. Results show more diversification of land uses and land-use changes in the salinity intrusion zone. Farmers here followed three main pathways: rice intensification, integrated farming of rice and vegetables/aquaculture, or intensive shrimp farming. Land-use changes were conditional on the regional infrastructure construction to preserve freshwater conditions. However, household-scale drivers, especially natural and financial assets, were most frequently mentioned. Socio-economic context also emerged as an important driver, particularly trends and pressures from the community and markets.