Land Use Conversion Research Articles (Page 1)

The expansion of agriculture in the Cerrado has led to the highest deforestation rates in Brazil. The conversion of these areas is not only linked to biodiversity loss and the decline of ecosystem services but also does not result in increased agricultural productivity. Considering the Matopiba region— zone of the Cerrado with the highest deforestation rate in the biome—maintaining the current deforestation rate in areas of highest agricultural productivity will lead to the disappearance of native vegetation within the next decade. This land-use conversion is not driven by economic potential, as the most suitable areas for agriculture are predominantly occupied by livestock farming, a less profitable activity, indicating allocative inefficiency. Of the total 18.17 Mha already in use within lands suitable for agriculture, 12.75 Mha are occupied by livestock farmings, with no substantial economic contribution from livestock. Given the need to maintain agricultural productivity in the face of constant market demand, it is essential to establish environmental policies that promote both economic and environmental sustainability. To ensure sustainable growth, environmental policies should leverage land suitabilitys data to boost productivity, direct agricultural financing, and enforce stricter land-use rules—shifting crop expansion from native vegetation to livestock farming conversion in high-suitability areas. Additionally, to prevent the complete elimination of the Cerrado in these areas, it is crucial to establish a higher proportion of legal reserves as a condition for granting new land-clearing licenses. Here, we suggest 60% for areas of highest agricultural suitability, compared to the 20% required by the current Forest Code (Federal Law No. 12,651 of May 25, 2012), aiming to double the lifespan of remaining native vegetation. The measures proposed here outline a pathway for maintaining and increasing the country's agricultural productivity sustainably, mitigating the major impacts of land-use change on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Investigating spatial-temporal variations in land use/cover change (LUCC) and habitat quality (HQ) is essential for evaluating ecosystem integrity and advancing sustainable development objectives. The Three-River Source Region (TRSR) has distinctive LUCC characteristics that reveal intricate relationships between land utilization patterns and environmental deterioration. Through an integrated PLUS-InVEST modeling framework, this research assesses historical LUCC and HQ transformations in the TRSR spanning three decades (1990–2020) while forecasting ecological patterns through mid-century projections (2050). Analysis indicates that grasslands dominate the TRSR landscape and constitute the core of its ecosystem. Over the past three decades, grassland, water body, and cropland areas increased by 14,593.43 km², 1,888.67 km², and 319.81 km², respectively, while the proportion of unused land declined from 22.24% to 17.79%. Projections forecast continued expansion of grassland and water body extents, accompanied by further reduction in unused land. Observed spatial shifts and reciprocal transformations among land-cover types underscore dynamic landscape processes. HQ exhibited an overall decline, with 0.67% of the region experiencing deterioration, which exceeded areas of improvement. In the absence of intervention, HQ degradation is projected to intensify, potentially doubling in spatial extent. Notably, HQ fluctuations occurred even in areas without LUCC, although more pronounced changes were detected where significant land-use conversions took place. These findings underscore the complex linkages between LUCC and HQ. Future strategies for the TRSR should prioritize limiting unused land expansion, conserving grasslands, and deepening understanding of regional ecological dynamics, thereby enabling more precise and targeted planning and management of unused land categories. Further elucidation of mechanisms relating land use to HQ will be critical for advancing research and guiding ecological restoration efforts.

Land degradation is known to alter soil properties and quality; however, its depth-dependent effects across contrasting land-use types and the key factors limiting soil recovery remain poorly quantified in tropical ecosystems. This study established a forest degradation gradient on Hainan Island, China, encompassing mature forest, secondary forest, rubber plantation, and areca plantation. Soil physical (e.g., bulk density, porosity, water content, field capacity) and chemical (e.g., organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fractions) properties were measured at three depths (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm). A soil quality index (SQI) was constructed using principal component analysis, and obstacle degree modeling was applied to identify major limiting factors. The results showed that degradation of mature forests significantly reduced topsoil (0–20 cm) quality regardless of subsequent land-use type. In contrast, changes in medium (20–40 cm) and deep (40–60 cm) soil quality were land-use dependent. Conversion to secondary forests and areca plantations resulted in negligible effects, whereas transformation into rubber plantations significantly enhanced soil quality at medium and deep depths. Obstacle degree analysis identified available phosphorus, rather than nitrogen, as the primary limiting factor for soil quality in the region, accounting for 39.7% of all limitations across land-use types. This study demonstrates that the effects of tropical forest degradation on soil quality exhibit dual dependence on both soil depth and land-use type in tropical settings. Furthermore, it highlights the essential role of available phosphorus management in guiding soil restoration and sustainable land-use strategies in these vulnerable ecosystems.

Indonesian agriculture faces various challenges such as climate change, land-use conversion, and the low interest of younger generations in the sector. To address these issues, it is necessary to improve the quality of human resources through training based on modern agricultural technology. This study aims to analyze the potential use of screenhouses in agribusiness-oriented melon cultivation and to develop a training model implemented at the UPT. Pelatihan Pertanian Jawa Timur. The methods used include participatory observation and a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing both primary and secondary data sources. The results show that screenhouses have significant potential as educational and productive facilities in enhancing the efficiency of melon cultivation through controlled growing environments, the use of technologies such as drip irrigation and direct planting systems, as well as integrated pest and disease management. In addition, the training model implemented is holistic, covering technical aspects of cultivation, agribusiness management, and digital marketing, using an andragogical approach that encourages active participant engagement. The integration of QR codes as interactive learning media further strengthens the role of technology in the training process. The optimization of screenhouses not only boosts agricultural productivity but also strengthens the capacity of young farmers to adapt and innovate in response to the dynamic future of agribusiness.

This research examines the impact of land use change on mobility. Spatial problems arise due to increased activity, population, and transportation in the same space, necessitating the development of modeling strategies. This aligns with SDG 11 on cities and settlements, as well as the PRN's focus on transportation innovation. The urgency of this research lies in its adaptive and sustainable spatial prediction efforts aimed at controlling future land use. This study aims to analyze land use change patterns using the Cellular Automata Markov Chain (CA-Markov) model in Kupang City until 2043. CA-Markov simulations efficiently evaluate land cover changes and movement. The quantitative research method was conducted based on spatial predictions and spatial configuration. Quantum GIS (QGIS) and GeoSOS-FLUS were used to obtain results from each stage. There are three research stages. First, identification of land cover (land use in 2018 and 2023), driving factors (distance to settlements, airports, highways, elevation, slope, slope orientation, rainfall, population density), and conservation areas. Second, standardisation of spatial data. Third, land cover prediction using GeoSOS software (five-year prediction) to identify patterns of land use change. These findings emphasize the importance of using CA-Markov-based spatial predictions as a foundation for adaptive spatial planning to control land-use conversion and maintain sustainable spatial connectivity in Kupang City until 2043.

Abstract The growing population has led to the conversion of productive agricultural lands into non-agricultural uses. These widespread changes in land use are reducing agricultural production and threatening food security. Therefore, it is essential to preserve agricultural lands; the first step of which is to gain a thorough understanding of the issue. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the causes of changing agricultural land use in the fertile areas of southwestern Iran. Utilizing a qualitative grounded theory approach, the statistical population was farmers in Bavi County selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 34 participants until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using three coding stages, namely open, axial, and selective coding. The results of the open coding stage revealed 69 key concepts. During the axial coding stage, these concepts were classified into eight subcategories, including biophysical characteristics of the land, economic factors, legal factors, social factors, improvement and promotion of cultural and welfare issues, the weakness of the monitoring system, physical space development factors, and the change of weather conditions. Ultimately, in the selective coding stage, a paradigm model was developed to depict the causes of land use change in agriculture, including the main phenomenon, contextual conditions, causal conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences. These findings can smooth the way for a comprehensive understanding of the issue to address it. Accordingly, supporting farmers financially by providing low-cost or subsided inputs and services could make a huge contribution to preventing the conversion of agricultural land use.

Ecosystems provide multiple benefits, are crucial for human well-being, and vary with both the quantity and quality of ecosystems. The Srepok River Basin in Vietnam has experienced land-use changes (LUCs) in recent decades. LUCs lead to adjustments in the ecosystem and the services it provides. In this study, we determined the ecosystem service value (ESV) and its temporal variation in the Srepok River Basin based on historical and projected LUCs using the Conversion of Land-Use and its Effects (CLUE-s) model. The results revealed significant changes in land-use structure and pattern under different land-use scenarios. The ESV slightly increased from 6,501 million USD (2010) to 6,668 million USD (2080), with trends in LUCs projected to follow the general trend of decreasing forest areas and shrubland and increasing urban areas and agricultural land. Development (such as agricultural expansion, deforestation, and urbanization) often overlooks the value of ecosystem services, with potentially disastrous consequences. Therefore, quantifying these impacts is necessary to make appropriate decisions during these changes.

Abstract The coastal area of Padang Pariaman, West Sumatera, is a critical region for intensive shrimp aquaculture, yet plagued by widespread legal uncertainties in pond management. However, these aquaculture lands often face unclear legal status. Construction of shrimp ponds too close to the shoreline and aquaculture activities lacking business permits remain major unresolved issues. The spread of shrimp ponds often contradicts the principles of coastal ecosystem sustainability, particularly concerning land-use conversion and violations of coastal regulations-aimed to investigate the relationship between the legal Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatera. The approach included on-site observations, analysis of documents from pertinent agencies, and spatial mapping using QGIS 3.40 software. Licensing data (n=58) was combined with spatial distance measurements of ponds using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Data analysis involved categorizing legal status (complete, incomplete, illegal), spatial distance measurements, and chi-square test to examine variable relationships. Results revealed that 54.55% of fully permitted ponds complied. Illegal ponds had a 1.5 times higher risk of violation (PR=1.5; 95% CI: 0.9-2.4), with statistically significant association (χ2 = 4.21, p = 0.08), with Cramer’s V of 0.27). These findings underscore the importance of licensing enforcement for sustainable coastal management.

<p>Today, smallholder forests in West Java - Indonesia play an important role as suppliers of domestic and industrial wood needs. However, with forest managers who are not yet professional and the easy conversion of land use into non-forest, smallholder forests cannot guarantee the sustainability of wood supply. In supporting the implementation of sustainable forest management in smallholder forests, understanding is needed regarding the characteristics of smallholder forests. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of smallholder forest stands as a basis for assessing the sustainability of wood raw material supply. The research location is smallholder forest in Sumedang district. Data collection method is a purposive sampling method with moving plot. The results indicated that the density of smallholder forests per ha was 342.5 trees per ha, with 14 species of trees. The distribution of tree diameters ranges from 1-49 cm, with a predominant class diameter of 10-15 cm. The potential stands for smallholder forests are 32.68 m<sup>3</sup>ha<sup>-1</sup>. The cutting felling cycle is at the age of 6.5 years with a selective logging system at a diameter size of more than 15 cm, so it is not optimal and there is a tendency that it will not continue. Therefore, in increasing its sustainability, it is necessary to increase the cutting life. So, there is a tendency for community forest areas to be converted into other land uses.</p>

The large-scale influx of Rohingya populations into Cox’s Bazar has placed significant pressure on natural resources, disrupting the region’s environmental and socio-economic balance. This study examines how environmental stress—arising from land degradation, deforestation, and water scarcity—interacts with livelihood challenges and resource competition to shape the experiences of both host communities and Rohingya refugees. Grounded in the framework of environmental justice, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach, incorporating field surveys, key informant interviews, and participatory observations in selected unions of Ukhiya Upazila. It explores community-level perceptions of environmental change and access to resources, identifying pathways through which environmental stress may lead to either tension or cooperation. Assuming current trends persist through 2025, the study projects that built-up and camp settlement areas may expand by an additional 5 to 10 sq km, while forest and shrub cover could decline to approximately 115 sq km in Teknaf and 60 sq km in Ukhiya. Agricultural and salt-producing areas are expected to expand modestly, with water bodies experiencing slight fluctuations due to factors such as land subsidence or land-use conversion. The study’s findings aim to inform sustainable, equity-focused strategies for resource management and contribute to policy discussions on environmentally induced displacement and community resilience.

Abstract The conversion of intrinsic lands to anthropogenic uses has increased nutrient inputs for lake microbes, profoundly influencing biogeochemical processes, particularly carbon cycling. Microbial carbon utilization is crucial in lake carbon sequestration, but its general changes under anthropogenic disturbances remain controversial. We combined carbon utilization assays with Biolog EcoPlates and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to examine microbial carbon utilization and carbon loss in lakes along a 3369 km gradient of land-use intensities spanning the Yangtze River and its front basin across China. Our results demonstrated that >30% land-use conversions from intrinsic to anthropogenic lands (farmland and built areas) resulted in >50% carbon loss in lakes. The large carbon loss was primarily driven by elevated nutrient concentrations, which stimulated microbial carbon utilization. Microbes in water were more responsive to environmental changes than those in sediment. We further identified distinct preferences of microbial carbon utilization driven by compositional shifts in core species. Specifically, nutrient-sensitive species (Roseomonas and Methylocystis) were replaced by nutrient-preferential species (Desertimonas and Clostridium sensu stricto), which collectively enhanced the utilization of substrates such as itaconic acid, phenylethyl-amine and glycerol, thereby accelerating carbon loss. This study quantifies the relationship between microbial carbon utilization and carbon loss, emphasizing the importance of regulating land-use changes and nutrient inputs to mitigate their impacts on lakes.

National food security has become a top priority in Indonesia’s development policy, particularly in ensuring rice availability as a staple commodity. To address challenges such as population growth, land-use conversion, and fluctuations in rice production, the government launched the Simultaneous Rice Planting Program as a strategy to boost national rice productivity. This program targets 1.3 million hectares across 160 regencies, with an estimated output of 7.5 million tons of unhusked rice by April 2025. This study aims to analyze the implementation and technological preparedness of the simultaneous rice planting system at the Sarian Ilir Farmers Group (Poktan) in Jabon Hamlet, Menemeng Village, Central Lombok Regency as a case study. The region was chosen for its highest rice production rate in West Nusa Tenggara, despite a decline from 52.59 tons/ha in 2023 to 50.51 tons/ha in 2024. This research employed a qualitative case study approach, with data collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and documentation. Primary respondents included the Chairperson of Poktan Sarian Ilir, Poktan members, and the Chairperson of the Women Farmers Group (KWT) Jabon Berkarya. The study was conducted on 13.5 hectares of land using agricultural technologies such as Inpari 32 rice variety, legowo row planting system, and an intensive IP3 planting pattern. Program implementation involved collaboration between local government, the Department of Agriculture, Technical Implementation Units (UPT), agricultural extension agents, pest control officers (POPT), security forces (TNI/Polri), and local farmers. The findings are expected to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the program’s effectiveness and provide innovative recommendations to support sustainable food security at both local and national levels.

Eco-enzymatic stoichiometry provides a basis for understanding soil ecosystem functions, with implications for land management and ecological protection. Long-term climatic factors and human interferences have caused significant land-use transformations in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau region, affecting various ecological functions, such as soil nutrient cycling and chemical element balance. It is currently unclear how large-scale land-use conversion affects soil ecological stoichiometry. In this study, 763 soil samples were collected across three land-use types: farmland, grassland, and forest land. In addition, changes in soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity and stoichiometry were determined. The soil available phosphorus (SAP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were the highest in farmland soil. Bulk density, pH, SAP, TP, and NO3−-N were lower in forest soil, whereas NH4+-N, available nitrogen, soil organic carbon (SOC), available potassium, and the soil nutrient ratio increased. Land-use conversion promoted soil β-1,4-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, mostly in forest soil. The eco-enzymatic C:N ratio was higher in farmland soils but grassland soils had a higher enzymatic C:P and N:P. Soil microorganisms were limited by P nutrients in all land-use patterns. C limitation was the highest in farmland soil. The redundancy analysis indicated that the ecological stoichiometry in farmland was influenced by TN, whereas grass and forest soils were influenced by SOC. Overall, the conversion of cropland or grassland to complex land-use types can effectively enhance soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and ecosystem functions, providing valuable insights for ecological restoration and sustainable land management in alpine regions.

Corporate environmental claims often neglect the substantial ecological impact of land-use changes. This case study examines the spatial dimension of retail-driven land-use transformation by analyzing supermarket expansion in the Veneto region (northern Italy), with a focus on a large grocery retailer. We evaluated its corporate environmental claims by assessing land consumption patterns from 1983 to 2024 using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The GIS-based methodology involved geocoding 113 Points of Sale (POS—individual retail outlets), performing photo-interpretation of historical aerial imagery, and classifying land-cover types prior to construction. We applied spatial metrics such as total converted surface area, land-cover class frequency across eight categories (e.g., agricultural, herbaceous, arboreal), and the average linear distance between afforestation sites and POS developed on previously rural land. Our findings reveal that 65.97% of the total land converted for Points of Sale development occurred in rural areas, primarily agricultural and herbaceous lands. These landscapes play a critical role in supporting urban biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services, which are increasingly threatened by unchecked land conversion. While the corporate sustainability reports and marketing strategies emphasize afforestation efforts under their “We Love Nature” initiative, our spatial analysis uncovers no evidence of actual land-use conversion. Additionally, reforestation activities are located an average of 40.75 km from converted sites, undermining their role as effective compensatory measures. These findings raise concerns about selective disclosure and greenwashing, driving the need for more comprehensive and transparent corporate sustainability reporting. The study argues for stronger policy frameworks to incentivize urban regeneration over greenfield development and calls for the integration of land-use data into corporate sustainability disclosures. By combining geospatial methods with content analysis, the research offers new insights into the intersection of land use, business practices, and environmental sustainability in climate-vulnerable regions.

This study examines the impact of land-use (LU) conversions on flood dynamics in An Giang province, a flood-prone headwater region of the Mekong River, from 2000 to 2023. Using Landsat imagery and Google Earth Engine (GEE), we analyzed LU changes and flood extent during peak seasons (June–November). Results reveal that LU shifts—particularly the rise in aquaculture (703 ha to 5,531 ha) and crops which replacing with rice—reduced water storage capacity, altering flood drainage. Before dyke construction (2000–2006), floods vol/frequency 175,719 ha, peaking at 235,290 ha in 2000. Post-2007 dyke expansion decreased flooded areas to 61,658 ha (2007–2013) and 25,502 ha (2014–2023), while autumn-winter rice surged from 45,633 ha to 116,067 ha. Periodic controlled flooding proved essential for ecological balance and dyke stability. In conclusion, 24-year analysis uniquely integrates LU shifts with flood dynamics in An Giang, highlighting the need for flexible LU policies and controlled flooding strategies to ensure sustainable development amid climate change. Periodic flooding in the Long Xuyen Quadrilateral proved vital for dyke stability and ecosystems. Adaptive LU strategies—prioritizing rice-shrimp systems and drought-tolerant crops—combined with ENSO-informed flood releases, are essential for sustainable development amid climate change. Keywords: An Giang region, crops replacing, flood dynamics, land-use change, remote sensing

The land-use conversion of Masson pine forests to tea fields is extensively practiced across subtropical China, primarily driven by its economic benefit. However, the effects of this conversion on soil fungal communities and functional guilds are poorly understood. Herein, a field experiment was conducted in a Masson pine forest (F), a 5-year-old tea plantation without (FT-CK) fertilization or with (FT-N), and a 30-year-old tea plantation (FT-O) to assess the impact of Masson pine forest-to-tea conversion on soil fungal abundance, community structure, and functional guilds by using qPCR and high-throughput sequencing. Compared to F, fungal abundance significantly decreased by 95%, 68%, and 79% in FT-CK, FT-N, and FT-O, respectively, probably caused by the decreased total nitrogen content and habitat disruption. Fungal alpha diversity significantly increased in FT-N and FT-O compared to FT-CK. FT-O presented the highest percentages of Mortierella among treatments, which favours soil organic carbon accumulation. FUNGuild-based predictions showed that FT-CK and FT-N had higher relative abundances of plant pathogens than F and FT-O. FT-O presented the highest percentages of litter and soil saprotrophs but exhibited the lowest percentages of ectomycorrhizal fungi among treatments, likely driven by increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus content. Our findings demonstrate that Masson pine forest-to-tea conversion significantly degrades soil fungal community and function, highlighting the urgent need for soil management strategies (e.g., organic amendments) to enhance soil health in tea agroecosystems.

Bangka Selatan Regency is a district designated as one of the locations for the Food Estate and food security in Indonesia. Bangka Selatan Regency is situated on Bangka Island. The Food Estate and food security policy for this district are strategically important because they ensure food security on a small island like Bangka. The strategic nature of this policy is linked to the potential difficulty in sourcing food from other islands. However, this policy is not aligned with the current development activities in Bangka Selatan Regency. The phenomenon shows a trend of land-use conversion of rice fields. This situation will undoubtedly affect rice production in this district. The objective of this study is to describe the land-use conversion of agricultural land and the vulnerability of rice production in Bangka Selatan Regency. The approach used is spatial recording through Geographic Information System (GIS). Input data are sourced from the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) and satellite image map analysis. Data are input from the period of 2013-2023, followed by overlay analysis and estimation, which resulted in the spatial conditions of land-use conversion and estimation of land-use changes. The overlay results show a reduction in rice fields converted to other uses. The study findings indicate that rice field conversion decreased by 17.8%, leading to a reduction in rice production. These findings can provide feedback for improving food waste and food security policies in Bangka Selatan Regency, especially due to its location on an island. The island’s position makes it vulnerable to food supply shortages from external sources.

This study aims to highlight the challenges posed by this trend, propose strategies to mitigate its impact, and explore the potential of agritourism as a sustainable solution to preserve agricultural land while boosting the local economy. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method and focused on case study in Tabanan Regency. Interviews were conducted with 20 respondent. The findings reveal that land-use conversion is critical issue requiring firm action and strong collaboration among the government, private sector, and farmer as landowners. The study continues to utilize a descriptive qualitative approach, with its scope confined to the Tabanan Regency area. Various alternatives and solution have been developed to mitigate land-use conversion, one of which is agrotourism. This approach is anticipated to support the sustainability of agricultural land while strengthening the local economy. Its holistic approach integrates land conversion issues, farmer welfare, agritourism, and government policies to devise sustainable solutions for regions experiencing significant land-use changes, such as Tabanan Regency.

Background and objective: The Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) is a region endowed with a rich and diverse forest ecosystem, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and preserving the cultural identity of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. However, this area is currently facing severe environmental degradation due to excessive deforestation, land-use conversion, and the impacts of climate change. In this context, literature is not only of artistic value but also serves as an effective means to raise awareness and promote environmental protection efforts. Among the writers who have significantly influenced forest conservation awareness, Nguyen Ngoc stands out with literary works that deeply reflect the human-nature relationship and serve as a declaration of forest and cultural protection in the Tay Nguyen. This study focuses on analyzing the role of Nguyen Ngoc’s literature in raising awareness and promoting actions to protect Tay Nguyen forests. It explores how literature can contribute to spreading environmental consciousness within communities and supporting sustainable nature conservation policies.Methods: This study employs qualitative methods, combining textual analysis and in-depth interviews. Representative works of Nguyen Ngoc such as <i>Đất nước đứng lên</i> (Nguyen, 1956), <i>Rừng xà nu</i> (Nguyen, 1965), <i>Các bạn tôi ở trên ấy</i> (Nguyen, 2021a), etc., are analyzed to clarify how the author uses natural imagery to convey environmental protection messages. In addition, interviews with literary scholars, environmental activists, and local residents were conducted to evaluate the impact of these works on forest conservation awareness and behavior. Based on the research findings, the study proposes a model for spreading forest conservation awareness through literature consisting of four stages: innovation, communication channels, time, and social systems.Results: The findings show that Nguyen Ngoc's works not only describe the majestic beauty of the Tay Nguyen mountains and forests but also deliver a powerful message of forest preservation. The image of the xa nu tree in <i>Rừng xà nu</i> (Nguyen, 1965) symbolizes both the indomitable spirit of the Tay Nguyen people and the resilient strength of the forest against human destruction. His literature has contributed to changing public perception of the forest's importance, evoking a love for nature and a sense of environmental responsibility. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of literature as an effective tool for environmental education. Nguyen Ngoc's works not only reinforce public awareness of the forest's value but also inspire environmental protection movements. Through diverse communication channels—from books and newspapers to conferences and social media—the forest conservation messages in his works have been widely disseminated, influencing various social groups.Conclusion: Based on the research findings, several recommendations are proposed to leverage literature in environmental education and forest protection policies. First, Nguyen Ngoc's works should be integrated into educational curricula to help students gain deeper insight into the importance of forests in human life. Second, communication about forest conservation through literature should be enhanced, emphasizing the long-term impact of literature on social awareness. Finally, forest protection policies should incorporate cultural elements, recognizing forests not only as natural resources but also as an inseparable part of the spiritual life and cultural identity of local communities.

This study aims to formulate a decentralization-based agricultural development model to effectively achieve food security in Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan. A qualitative approach employing a case study method was used to explore the dynamics of policies, strategies, and agricultural development management practices at the local level. The findings reveal that while the agricultural sector plays a dominant role in the local economic structure, its implementation continues to face significant challenges, including land-use conversion, lack of integrated planning, low community participation, limited data availability, and weak intersectoral coordination. Although regional autonomy presents opportunities for local policy innovation, the study found that limited institutional capacity and suboptimal budget allocation hinder the effectiveness of agricultural development programs. This research proposes an integrated agricultural development model that emphasizes intersectoral synergy, institutional strengthening, optimization of local resources, and enhanced community participation in the planning and implementation of food security programs. The proposed model is designed to be adaptive to local challenges and climate change, while aligning with principles of sustainability. Theoretically, this study contributes to the discourse on development administration, particularly in the context of decentralization and food governance. Practically, the proposed model serves as a reference for formulating more responsive, inclusive, and evidence-based local policies aimed at achieving sustainable food security.