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A Synthesis of Land Use/Land Cover Studies: Definitions, Classification Systems, Meta-Studies, Challenges and Knowledge Gaps on a Global Landscape

Author

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  • Ryan Nedd

    (School of Environment, Florida A&M University, FSH Science Research Center, 1515 S. MLK Jr. BLVD, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Katie Light

    (Biological Systems Engineering Program, College of Agriculture and Food Science, Florida A&M University, Benjamin Bannekar Tech C, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Marcia Owens

    (School of Environment, Florida A&M University, 308L Humphries Science Research Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Neil James

    (College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University, 204 South Perry Paige, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Elijah Johnson

    (School of Environment, Florida A&M University, FSH Science Research Center, 1515 S. MLK Jr. BLVD, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Aavudai Anandhi

    (Biological Systems Engineering Program, College of Agriculture and Food Science, Florida A&M University, Benjamin Bannekar Tech C, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

Abstract

Land is a natural resource that humans have utilized for life and various activities. Land use/land cover change (LULCC) has been of great concern to many countries over the years. Some of the main reasons behind LULCC are rapid population growth, migration, and the conversion of rural to urban areas. LULC has a considerable impact on the land-atmosphere/climate interactions. Over the past two decades, numerous studies conducted in LULC have investigated various areas of the field of LULC. However, the assemblage of information is missing for some aspects. Therefore, to provide coherent guidance, a literature review to scrutinize and evaluate many studies in particular topical areas is employed. This research study collected approximately four hundred research articles and investigated five (5) areas of interest, including (1) LULC definitions; (2) classification systems used to classify LULC globally; (3) direct and indirect changes of meta-studies associated with LULC; (4) challenges associated with LULC; and (5) LULC knowledge gaps. The synthesis revealed that LULC definitions carried vital terms, and classification systems for LULC are at the national, regional, and global scales. Most meta-studies for LULC were in the categories of direct and indirect land changes. Additionally, the analysis showed significant areas of LULC challenges were data consistency and quality. The knowledge gaps highlighted a fall in the categories of ecosystem services, forestry, and data/image modeling in LULC. Core findings exhibit common patterns, discrepancies, and relationships from the multiple studies. While literature review as a tool showed similarities among various research studies, our results recommend researchers endeavor to perform further synthesis in the field of LULC to promote our overall understanding, since research investigations will continue in LULC.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan Nedd & Katie Light & Marcia Owens & Neil James & Elijah Johnson & Aavudai Anandhi, 2021. "A Synthesis of Land Use/Land Cover Studies: Definitions, Classification Systems, Meta-Studies, Challenges and Knowledge Gaps on a Global Landscape," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-30, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:9:p:994-:d:639862
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sinan Demir, 2024. "Determination of suitable agricultural areas and current land use in Isparta Province, Türkiye, through a linear combination technique and geographic information systems," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 13455-13493, May.
    2. Zebin Chen & Yonglin Chen & Chenhui Zhu & Yunping Zhang & Xiang Kong, 2025. "Determinants of Farmland Abandonment Among Peasants in Scattered Villages: The Impact of Family Structure and Social Policies in Southern China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Rui Luo & Jiwei Leng & Daming He & Yanbo Li & Kai Ma & Ziyue Xu & Kaiwen Zhang & Yun Luo, 2025. "Improving Traditional Metrics: A Hybrid Framework for Assessing the Ecological Carrying Capacity of Mountainous Regions," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-20, March.

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