Eco-Environmental Effects and Spatio-Temporal Evolution Characteristics of Land Use Change

Dear Colleagues,

Land use changes refer to alterations in how a particular area is utilized by humans, or the activities conducted on it. These changes can be driven by various factors, including economic development, population growth, technological advancements, and shifts in societal priorities. It stands as one of the most crucial indicators for comprehending the environmental impact of human activities. These impacts, though profound, often go underestimated, while profoundly affecting ecological systems. Land use changes encompass a diverse range of activities, including urbanization, agricultural expansion, conservation and protected areas, infrastructure development, mining and extraction, reforestation, and afforestation, among others.

Among the LULC changes caused by human actions, urbanization is the most prevalent anthropogenic driver, leading to the loss of arable land, habitat destruction, and a decline in natural vegetation cover. The global expansion of urban areas is occurring at an unprecedented rate, with the majority of the world's population now residing in cities.  Given the substantial influence of human activities on ecosystems, there is a heightened focus on monitoring the changes in land use. This attention is critical not only for understanding the ecological repercussions of human activity, but also for formulating effective economic, social, and environmental policies aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts.

Understanding land use changes is crucial for environmental management, sustainable development, and policy making. It involves monitoring, mapping, and assessing the impacts of these changes on ecosystems, biodiversity, natural resources, and human societies. Remote sensing technologies, geographic information systems (GIS), and land use planning play important roles in studying and managing these land use changes.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish the latest advances in monitoring, mapping, and assessing land use changes and their consequences on ecosystems, biodiversity, natural resources, and human societies. We particularly encourage studies that leverage innovative approaches, including remote sensing, GIS, machine learning techniques, and diverse eco-environmental models. The topics of the Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

1. Urbanization and Urban expansion:

• Patterns and trends in urban expansion.
• Urban sprawl and its consequences.

2. Agricultural Land Use:

• Changes in crop types and agricultural practices.
• Land degradation and soil quality.
• Agricultural intensification and its effects.

3. Forest Cover Change:

• Deforestation and reforestation trends.
• Logging and forest management practices.
• Impact on biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

4. Protected Areas and Conservation:

• Changes in protected areas and reserves.
• Habitat fragmentation and connectivity.
• Conservation effectiveness and policy analysis.

5. Land Use and Climate Change:

• Land use as a driver of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Land-based climate mitigation strategies.
• Adaptation measures related to land use.

6. Rural–Urban Interface:

• Land use changes in peri-urban areas.
• Challenges of mixed land use.
• Planning for sustainable urban–rural development.

7. Land Use Policy and Governance:

• Land tenure systems and land rights.
• Land use planning and zoning regulations.
• Land use conflicts and resolution strategies.

8. Land Use and Ecosystem Services:

• Impact on provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services.
• Ecosystem-based approaches to land use planning.

9. Land Use and Water Resources:

• Impacts on water quality and quantity.
• Watershed management and land use planning.

10. Land Use and Food Security:

• Relationship between land use change and food production.
• Impacts on food availability and access.

11. Remote Sensing and GIS Applications:

• Using satellite imagery and geospatial data for land use monitoring.
• Spatial modeling and analysis of land use change.

12. Social and Economic Dimensions:

• Socioeconomic drivers of land use change.
• Impacts on livelihoods and well-being.

13. Land Use Change and Biodiversity Loss:

• Effects on species distribution and habitat loss.
• Conservation strategies in the face of land use change.

Dr. Hui Li
Guest Editor

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• land use
• urban expansion
• crop land
• wetland
• forest
• water body
• conservation and protected areas
• remote sensing
• machine learning
• deep learning
• sustainable ecosystem
• sustainable land use
• sustainable environment