Editorial for the Special Issue “Land Use/Land Cover and Natural Hazards: Interactions, Changes, and Impacts, 2nd Edition”

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes are among the most significant alterations of the Earth’s surface, particularly following the acceleration of human-driven land transformations after the Second World War. Consequently, understanding and predicting the causes, interactions, and consequences of LULC have become major challenges for those involved in sustainable development and disaster mitigation [1]. The term ‘natural hazards’ has traditionally encompassed various physical phenomena, such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, and more [2]. However, the concept of natural hazards has broadened in recent years, now including categories such as fires, meteorological/climatological, hydrological/geological, and environmental hazards [3]. This expanded definition also takes into account phenomena related to eutrophication, socio-economic impacts, and biodiversity disasters.

LULC changes significantly impact the frequency and intensity of natural hazards such as floods [4,5,6], landslides [7,8], heatwaves [9], wildfires [10], and erosion [11]. These changes also affect habitat composition and landscape connectivity, contributing to biodiversity loss and a reduction in ecosystem service provision [12,13]. LULC influences the quality of environmental matrices—such as water, air, and soil—either directly or indirectly (e.g., through induced climate change), impacting the natural capital essential for life and increasing associated risks for humans and other living beings [1]. To mitigate the anthropogenic pressures resulting from LULC, sustainable strategies such as restoring natural and semi-natural ecosystems, introducing nature-based solutions, and planning green infrastructure in both urban and rural landscapes are vital for enhancing the long-term resilience of socio-ecological systems [14,15,16].

The relationship between LULC changes and natural hazards is crucial for understanding how human activities influence the occurrence and severity of these hazards. Changes in LULC can drastically alter hydrological processes, increase vulnerability to disasters, and exacerbate the impacts of natural hazards. Therefore, beyond improving assessment and modeling tools, tailored approaches to land use planning are essential, as different land uses have varying effects on disaster risk.

The current Special Issue, ‘Land Use/Land Cover and Natural Hazards: Interactions, Changes, and Impacts, 2nd Edition,’ builds on the success of a previous Special Issue in the same journal, Land (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/lulc_natural_hazards, accessed on 10 December 2025). The success of the previous edition, which featured 12 articles, motivated us to renew the call. This issue presents nine scientific papers—seven research articles and two reviews—that address various aspects of the LULC and natural hazard nexus at different spatial scales.

Nasrollahi et al. (List of Contributions, 1) evaluates flood adaptation strategies in Philadelphia’s Eastwick, comparing levees, green stormwater infrastructure, and managed retreat under compound climate risks. Modeling shows nature-based and retreat approaches outperform levees, though no single solution suffices. Results highlight the need for integrated, multifunctional strategies considering cost, feasibility, and community preferences to effectively address future flood hazards.

Gaganis et al. (List of Contributions, 2) examines the link between reed bed burnings and wetland conversion in Greece, using Phragmites australis fires as indicators of historical wetland ecosystems. By analyzing fire patterns and land cover data, the research highlights a significant correlation between areas with frequent reed fires and former wetlands, particularly those converted to irrigated agricultural land. The findings emphasize how land use changes, such as wetland reclamation for agriculture, impact natural landscapes and contribute to ecosystem degradation. The study underscores the importance of wetland preservation and sustainable land use management to mitigate environmental hazards.

Elfadaly et al. (List of Contributions, 3) explores how urbanization and land use changes near the Giza Necropolis, including rapid expansion of urban areas, have led to groundwater level changes, threatening the Sphinx and Pyramids. Using satellite data, it analyzes the impact of land use dynamics on subsidence and water-related risks to these heritage sites, demonstrating how unregulated land changes can exacerbate natural hazards and cultural heritage vulnerability.

Benotmane et al. (List of Contributions, 4) assesses the impact of wild boar activity on soil properties in natural and post-fire environments. It highlights how land disturbance from fires and subsequent wildlife activity can alter soil chemical properties, affecting forest recovery. The study suggests that in post-fire areas, wild boars can significantly disrupt soil composition, exacerbating land degradation and influencing natural hazard risk.

Koutalakis et al. (List of Contributions, 5) examines stream bank erosion and deposition using satellite imagery and UAVs to identify erosion hotspots. It emphasizes how land use changes, particularly along watercourses, increase erosion risks. The study suggests that targeted interventions and nature-based solutions are needed to mitigate the erosion caused by human activities, highlighting the direct relationship between land use changes and increased vulnerability to natural hazards.

Ouallali et al. (List of Contributions, 6) analyzes erosion rates in Morocco’s R’mel watershed, focusing on quarry activities as a major cause of sediment production. Through land use change simulations, it shows that reforestation can significantly reduce erosion compared to converting land for agriculture. This underscores the role of land management in mitigating erosion and protecting downstream areas from sedimentation hazards.

Thapa et al. (List of Contributions, 7) using geospatial analysis assesses landslide susceptibility in Nepal’s Chure region, identifying land cover types, slope, and geology as key risk factors. The results show that land use, particularly deforestation and agricultural expansion, increases landslide vulnerability. The findings highlight the need for sustainable land use planning to reduce landslide risks in this fragile region.

Hanberry et al. (List of Contributions, 8) examines the interactions between land use changes and climate change in eastern U.S. forests. It highlights how human activities, such as fire suppression and increased tree density, have combined with increased precipitation to reduce wildfire frequency. However, these land use changes have also facilitated species invasions and outbreaks. The study suggests that future warming could reverse current land use and climate synergies, leading to more frequent wildfires and other forest disturbances, demonstrating the link between land use changes and heightened natural hazards.

Manandhar et al. (List of Contributions, 9) reviews the increasing frequency of urban flooding in South Asia, attributing it to rapid urbanization and unplanned land use changes, particularly the rise in impervious surfaces. The study explores flood assessment methods and highlights how land use changes, driven by urban growth, exacerbate flood risks. It calls for integrated urban planning that incorporates nature-based solutions to manage flood hazards and improve resilience to climate change-induced flooding.

Across these diverse studies, several common themes emerge, emphasizing the interplay between human activities, environmental change, and natural hazards. From the degradation of cultural heritage sites due to urban expansion to the vulnerability of landscapes to erosion and landslides, these articles underscore the urgent need for integrated approaches to environmental management and disaster risk reduction. Moreover, they highlight the importance of leveraging advanced technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complex challenges facing our planet and build more resilient communities for the future.

Nexus approaches aim at understanding connections, synergies, and trade-offs among sectors and research fields, considering impact on resources, landscape features and living beings [16]. While the articles in this Special Issue provide valuable insights into the interactions between LULC and natural hazards, there remain avenues for future research. Interdisciplinary research efforts combining remote sensing, GIS, ecology, and social sciences could enhance our understanding of the complex relationships between human activities and environmental dynamics, paving the way for more effective and sustainable approaches to land management and hazard mitigation. As we look to the future, let us continue to explore, innovate, and collaborate in addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

In conclusion, urbanization, land use types, and vegetation cover all shape the risk landscape of natural disasters. Improved assessments of these phenomena at various spatial and temporal scales are essential. Effective solutions require integrated land use planning that considers multiple risk factors to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience in the long term [17,18]. While this collection may not provide a definitive summary of the LULC/Natural Hazard nexus, we believe it will contribute to a better understanding of many processes and phenomena that occur in natural, rural, and urban environments as a result of human-induced changes. These contributions are intended to help risk managers and decision-makers adopt appropriate mitigation and adaptation actions, as well as suitable tools and frameworks for specific hazard assessments.